(Montreal) Winter has not said its last word: a snowstorm should fall on several regions of Quebec on Saturday, which can bring up to 35 cm in certain sectors.
Posted at 6:37
Updated at 9:03 p.m.
Among the most affected regions, the North Shore should receive up to 35 cm of snow on Saturday, said Peter Kimbell, meteorologist at Environment Canada. Maximum precipitation of 30 cm is expected in Bas-Saint-Laurent, Estrie and Beauce. The Quebec region, where the snow began to break on Friday evening, could see up to 25 cm fall on Saturday.
In Estrie, the storm should hit the region from Saturday morning, said Peter Kimbell. After a night of mild temperatures, winds of 50 km / h from the west are expected to blow in the region in the morning, dropping the mercury below 0 ° C, he said. “The roads will then become more dangerous, especially in the afternoon,” warned the meteorologist.
On the North Shore and Bas-Saint-Laurent, gusts of at least 50 km/h will accompany the snowfall that will begin on Saturday morning. Motorists will have to be extra careful, since visibility will then be “almost zero”, warned Peter Kimbell.
Smaller amounts of snow for the metropolis
As for the Montreal, Gatineau and Montérégie regions, smaller amounts of snow than elsewhere in the province are expected. The snow, which was already covering the roadway Friday evening, should stop by Saturday evening, said Mr. Kimbell. The 20 to 40 km/h winds that will sweep these regions at the end of the day will cool temperatures, which should be around -6°C.
In the past, the weather has brought its share of surprises in March in Quebec. Five years ago, almost to the day, a major snowstorm hit the metropolis and Montérégie. Rainfall reaching up to 75 cm had swept over the South Shore of Montreal on March 15, 2017.
A thaw expected next week
After the winter temperatures on Friday and Saturday, the heat will be felt in the following days, Kimbell said. The sun should shine on the metropolis on Sunday, with temperatures reaching -3 ° C, said the meteorologist.
The mercury will continue to climb over the next week, reaching 11°C in Montreal on Thursday and 13°C in Estrie. “There will be snowmelt next week,” said Peter Kimbell.