On Friday, Québec experienced significant weather disruptions characterized by strong winds and power outages. Wind gusts reached up to 90 km/h after a night of freezing rain in the southern part of the province. Environment Canada issued warnings urging residents to secure loose objects.
Severe Weather Events Across Québec
The weather system that impacted the province is known as a “Western Clipper.” This winter system originates near the Rockies in Alberta and rapidly moves eastward across Canada. Simon Legault, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, described the situation as a temporary but intense weather event.
Power Outages and School Closures
By 1:30 PM on Friday, Hydro-Québec reported approximately 80,000 households without electricity. Montérégie suffered the most, with over 31,000 affected homes. Additionally, three school service centers in Mauricie closed 46 schools due to hazardous road conditions affecting transportation.
Impact on Road Conditions
- The Ministry of Transportation warned of slippery roads and reduced visibility.
- Highway 40 westbound near Yamachiche was closed following a vehicle accident at 8:12 AM.
- Various road segments in northern Québec faced closures due to challenging conditions.
Forecasted Weather Changes
The forecast indicates that rain and snow may continue throughout Friday, with intense rain warnings potentially leading to flooding in some regions. Precipitation amounts of 60 mm are expected, particularly north of Québec City, where the frozen ground and waterways may exacerbate flooding risks.
Temperatures in southern Québec reached a mild 12 degrees Celsius in Montréal on Friday morning. However, a sudden drop in temperature is anticipated later in the day, which could freeze standing water on roads. Wind chill factors in the metropolitan area may lead to temperatures feeling as low as -16 degrees Celsius overnight.
Temperature Fluctuations Explained
Simon Legault explained that warming temperatures resulted from southerly winds pushing warm air into the province. This will be followed by a swift shift to colder air, bringing more typical seasonal temperatures. Such powerful systems derive their energy from temperature contrasts, but the prevailing cold will soon return.
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