Quebec City and Montreal Under Blizzard Warning: Up to 50cm of Snow Expected!

The province of Quebec is currently experiencing a major winter storm, with a blizzard warning issued for several regions along the Saint Lawrence Valley. This storm, described as “exceptional” by meteorologists, is far more intense than the previous storm that hit just days before, and has already caused significant disruptions across the province. The combination of strong winds, heavy snowfall, and significant wind chill has created hazardous travel conditions.

Unprecedented Blizzard Conditions in the Saint Lawrence Valley

The blizzard warning encompasses a significant portion of the Saint Lawrence Valley, stretching from Montérégie to the Capitale-Nationale region, including major cities like Montreal and Quebec City, as well as the Laurentides, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec, and Chaudière-Appalaches regions. This is particularly unusual, given the rarity of a blizzard warning being issued for the entire Saint Lawrence Valley.

Accumulation of Snow and Power Outages

Snowfall rates have been extremely high, reaching up to 5cm per hour in some areas. Total accumulations are predicted to reach up to 50cm in certain regions, particularly in Estrie. This heavy snowfall, coupled with strong winds, has resulted in widespread power outages, affecting over 5000 customers at the time of writing. The city of Montreal has already seen over 35cm of snow, while Ottawa reported a staggering 41cm. The severity of the conditions is further emphasized by the report of lightning strikes near Thetford Mines.

Transportation Chaos and School Closures

The storm has created widespread transportation chaos. Dozens of accidents and vehicles sliding off the roads have been reported, predominantly in southern Quebec. Roads across the province are described as partially or completely snow-covered, with visibility significantly reduced and even non-existent in some areas. A preventative closure was even in effect on Highway 15 southbound in La Prairie, Montérégie, due to severe blowing snow. The Ministry of Transport is urging people to avoid all non-essential travel, and those who must travel are advised to exercise extreme caution and increase the following distance from other vehicles and snowplows. Several school districts have announced a weather watch, with some, such as Sherbrooke, already announcing closures for Monday.

Impact on Air Travel and Public Transportation

The storm is also significantly impacting air travel. Montreal-Trudeau airport reported over 142 cancelled flights, primarily domestic, on Sunday morning. Travelers are urged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport. Delays are also being reported on the VIA Rail network due to severe weather conditions, including frozen switches and freight trains blocking certain tracks. Montreal’s public transportation system is also facing challenges, with the potential for significant delays.

The Storm's Aftermath and Ongoing Challenges

The storm is far from over. The heavy snowfall, strong winds, and extremely low temperatures are expected to persist for some time. City officials, including the spokesperson for the City of Montreal, Philippe Sabourin, are warning that the cleanup efforts will be extensive, potentially taking a full day to fully restore order. Mr. Sabourin emphasized the unprecedented nature of this event, stating that he's never seen two storms of this magnitude in less than four days during his 20-year career. The snow removal efforts will not begin until 24 hours after the storm has passed, and the impact will continue to severely affect the traffic.

A large car pile-up occurred on the A-20 West, near Drummondville, involving around twenty vehicles, including heavy vehicles. Thankfully, there were no injuries reported, however, the highway was temporarily closed. A significant number of schools and daycare centers are closed due to the weather. The blizzard warning currently in place is expected to extend to Gaspésie in the coming days, with forecasts predicting up to 60 or 70 cm of snowfall in that region. The impact of the storm, its challenges, and the aftermath will be long-lasting and the current conditions, as reported by meteorologists from Environment Canada, is the worst weather conditions in many decades.

The situation across Quebec is serious and the advice given by the Ministry of Transport and Environment Canada is to avoid traveling unless absolutely necessary. With such significant amounts of snowfall, high winds, and low temperatures, it is certainly a storm to remember.