A heat warning is still in effect for part of southern Quebec on Saturday. Temperatures could reach 37 with the Humidex factor in Montreal, where thunderstorms could also occur at the end of the day.
A heat warning still affects the regions of Montreal, Montérégie and Estrie, as well as part of Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Mauricie and Centre-du-Québec. A sector of Bas-Saint-Laurent, adjacent to New Brunswick, is also targeted.
In the morning, it was 24 degrees in Montreal, with a feeling of 33 degrees, says Gerardo Velonza, meteorologist for Environment Canada.
The thermometer could rise to 29 degrees Celsius in the afternoon, with a feeling of 37 with the Humidex factor, according to the federal agency.
A similar scenario is expected in Trois-Rivières, Sherbrooke, Drummondville, Joliette and Témiscouata, in particular.
Although the heat warning does not affect other areas of the province, high temperatures and thunderstorms are also expected elsewhere. This is among other things the case in the capital, where a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius is expected, with a feeling of 35 in the afternoon.
In Saguenay, the mercury could reach 27 degrees Celsius, with a feeling of 32.
Thunderstorms could also occur north of Montreal, in Abiti-Témiscamingue and the Laurentians. The chances are particularly great in the Vallée-du-Richelieu, in the Drummondville region and in western Estrie, underlines Mr. Velonza. Gusts of up to 80 kilometers per hour and hail could occur.
Cooler from Sunday, expected rain
The warm air mass that has been stagnating over Quebec since the middle of the week should free the province on Sunday. In Montreal, the feelings should be around 30 with the Humidex factor, according to the meteorologist. At night, the temperature should drop back below 20 degrees Celsius.
Rain is also expected in southern Quebec from Sunday evening, due to a low pressure system arriving from the east coast of the United States, he adds.
It should rain during the beginning of the week, Monday and Tuesday. Thunderstorms could also occur. Up to 50 millimeters of rain are forecast.
Partial lifting of the ban on open fires
Under the circumstances, the ban on open fires in or near the forest has been lifted by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests for a large part of southern Quebec, with the exception of certain sectors.
Announced Friday evening, this decision has been in effect since Saturday morning at 8 a.m.
Note that an Environment Canada warning on poor air quality is still in effect in Chibougamau and part of the Jamésie region.