Blowing snow, storm, freezing rain and extreme cold warning: a mixed weather cocktail will hit most parts of the province on Friday, but will fade on Saturday to give way to sunshine on Sunday.
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For the moment, accumulations varying between 15 and 40 cm of snow will cover the south and the center of the province, during the passage of the low pressure system from Colorado. In some regions, such as Anticosti, Blanc-Sablon and Chevery, the combination of snow and strong winds will cause blowing snow starting Friday evening.
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These will be accompanied, in places, by freezing rain. In the greater Montreal area, the snow will be mixed with sleet in some areas on Friday morning.
In Estrie, 2 to 5 millimeters of ice will affect some localities, while heavy rain is expected on the Magdalen Islands, with nearly 40mm of rain. These accumulations will persist until Saturday morning.
In the areas of Rimouski–Mont-Jolie, Matane, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts–Grande-Vallée, Parc national de la Gaspésie and Amqui, Environment Canada forecasts a total of 25 to 40 centimeters of snow by Saturday morning. . Certain sectors of Baie-des-Chaleurs could also experience a period of snow mixed with freezing rain as of Friday evening.
“Dangerous winter conditions are expected,” the weather service warned on its website.
An extreme cold warning is also in effect for northern Quebec, in the Chibougamau and Waskaganish regions, where wind chill will drop the mercury to -38°C Friday night and Saturday morning.
Photo QMI Agency, Guy Martel
“Stay dry to keep warm,” Environment Canada advised. An extreme cold warning is issued when wind chill or very cold temperatures present a high health hazard (frostbite, hypothermia, etc.).
Fortunately, good weather will return on Sunday as clearing is announced on Saturday in the west, center and south of the province. The beginning of the weekend will therefore be marked by an alternation of sun and clouds.