A significant weather system has swept across Quebec, causing strong winds and extensive power outages. As of 6 AM, over 125,000 Hydro-Québec customers were without electricity. This number grew rapidly over the preceding hour, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Regions Affected by Power Outages
The power outages affected nearly all regions of Quebec. The hardest hit areas included:
- Laurentides
- Lanaudière
- Montérégie
- Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- Bas-Saint-Laurent
- Capitale-Nationale
- Centre-du-Québec
- Mauricie
- Outaouais
- Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean
Meteorological Warnings and Conditions
Environment Canada issued weather warnings related to the winds across various sectors. These warnings included:
- A yellow wind warning in Estrie, Quebec City, Bas-Saint-Laurent, and Côte-Nord.
- Wind gusts expected to reach 90 kilometers per hour.
- A yellow winter storm warning in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, with an additional snow accumulation of 5 to 10 centimeters expected.
Impact on Temperatures
The cold front that accompanied the weather system is causing a notable drop in temperatures. In Montreal, temperatures fell from 14°C on Monday evening to a forecast low of -8°C by Tuesday. With wind chill, the temperature may feel as low as -16°C.
This severe weather event continues to affect many residents throughout Quebec, emphasizing the need for safety and preparedness during winter storms.
