Residents of Quebec are bracing for slippery conditions this weekend due to a freezing rain warning issued by Environment Canada. The alert is particularly relevant for several regions as the freezing rain is predicted to arrive Saturday morning.
Freezing Rain Warning: High-Risk Areas Identified
The freezing rain could result in accumulations of up to 2 millimeters of ice. The areas most at risk include:
- The Mauricie
- Capitale-Nationale
- Saguenay
- Gaspésie
- Haute-Côte-Nord
Timing and Impact
Saturday morning will pose the highest risk for these regions. It is expected that the layer of ice will be thin and short-lived, melting as temperatures rise during the afternoon.
However, residents should remain cautious. Although the ice is unlikely to cause significant power outages, it may create hazardous driving conditions.
Road Conditions
Key routes that could be affected include:
- Route 138 to Côte-Nord
- Route 175 in the Laurentides Wildlife Reserve
- Highway 40 between Trois-Rivières and Quebec City
In contrast, Highway 20 between Montreal and Quebec City is expected to remain clear of ice.
Other Weather Conditions
While freezing rain is a concern, the rest of Quebec will experience rainfall on Saturday. Accumulations may reach 25 millimeters or more in Outaouais and Capitale-Nationale, with other areas seeing between 10 and 20 millimeters.
Additionally, heavy or wet snow could fall in the Abitibi region and northern Saguenay later in the day.
Residents are advised to plan their travel accordingly, especially if it can be postponed until conditions improve later in the day.
