A major snowstorm is about to hit Quebec. Gusts and rainfall of up to 30 cm are expected, forcing schools to close on Monday.
Posted at 3:47 p.m.
The heavy snow will begin early Monday morning and will leave a total of between 20 and 30 centimeters of snow depending on the region. Strong winds, combined with heavy precipitation, will reduce visibility, which may be nil at times.
“As of Monday morning rush hour, I expect things to be complicated in the greater Montreal area. It will gradually spread in the morning in the regions of central Quebec, ”says Jean-Philippe Bégin, meteorologist at Environment Canada.
It will be the biggest storm of the season for the south of the province, supports the meteorologist.
Closed schools
Weather forecasts forced schools to close on Monday.
This is the case of the Collège de Montréal, which will not offer in-class or distance education on Monday. The day of January 17 will be resumed on Monday April 25.
“We are thus favoring a day of face-to-face teaching at the College in April rather than a day of distance learning tomorrow,” the establishment said in a press release.
For their part, the Collège St-Jean Vianney, the Marie-Clarac secondary school and the École supérieure de ballet du Québec have announced that the classes for Monday, January 17 will be held online.
Displacements
Gusts between 60 and 70 km/hour are expected in southern Quebec. These winds could be even stronger in the Montmagny region, with gusts of 80 km/hour.
Between Montreal and Quebec, travel will be very complicated. In the Montmagny area, visibility could be zero and the roads near the river could close. It will be monitored.
Jean-Philippe Bégin, meteorologist at Environment Canada
He recommends avoiding all non-essential travel. “If we can telecommute or postpone travel. This is not to be taken lightly,” he said.
Surfaces like roads, streets, sidewalks and parking lots can become difficult to navigate due to snow accumulation, says Environment Canada.