A winter storm “quite similar” to the one that began this Tuesday in Quebec could affect the entire province next weekend, according to Environment Canada.
“We are forecasting heavy snow on Saturday, but it is too early to specify the quantities,” explains Michèle Fleury, meteorologist at the federal ministry. The type of precipitation – rain, sleet, snow – is still uncertain, “but with the data we currently have, it seems that we are more on the snow side,” she says.
In Quebec, the storm should begin late Tuesday evening and be “still quite intense,” explains the meteorologist. “The northeast winds will be strong, reaching 80 km/h at the end of the night and [mercredi] Morning. Snow accumulations will be quite significant there, because there will be less mixing [de grésil]. So, we are talking about 30 to 40 centimeters in total. »
According to Environment Canada, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord and Gaspésie will experience weather conditions similar to those expected in the capital. Most of the precipitation is expected to fall in these regions on Wednesday.
Schools on alert
Some students who returned to class this Tuesday will have to stay at home on Wednesday. The Estuaire School Service Center, on the North Shore, announced on Tuesday that it would close the doors of all its establishments on Wednesday, January 10 due to the “heavy rainfall forecast”.
Elsewhere, they say they are monitoring the situation closely. Thus, the Portneuf School Service Center warned Tuesday evening on its website that it could be obliged to suspend classes in its schools on Wednesday. “Definitive information will be available no later than Wednesday morning 6 a.m.,” it says.
In Estrie, the Région-de-Sherbrooke School Service Center has warned parents of possible delays in school transportation. “Due to road conditions, some bus routes may be affected Wednesday morning. Make sure you agree on a plan B with your child, in case school transport is not possible. »