Mother Nature could come and spoil the party as Christmas approaches. Environment Canada predicts an “intense low pressure system” over Quebec starting Thursday, which will affect the entire province until Saturday.
Regions north of the St. Lawrence River would be affected by significant amounts of snow, strong winds and blowing snow, the federal agency said in a weather alert released Tuesday morning.
As for the more southern sectors, part of the precipitation will fall in the form of rain, mentions Environment Canada, which warns that freezing rain could also fall on Quebec at the time of the transition from snow to rain.
In Outaouais, the federal agency is talking about a major winter storm that could last all weekend. Rain or snow are to be expected, in addition to a possible drop in temperatures on Friday.
The trajectory of the system remains uncertain for the moment, which does not make it possible to establish the quantity of expected precipitation, specifies the meteorological service.
A storm surge will also be to be watched from Quebec towards the eastern regions, as of Friday, when there will be a period of high tides.
This system is announced as many Quebec families prepare to hit the road to celebrate the holiday season.
Environment Canada invites the public to plan their trips since road conditions could prove difficult. Power outages are also possible.
Following this system, snow squalls could blow over southern Quebec on Saturday afternoon as cold air passes over the Great Lakes.
This cold air could bring temperatures below normal for the season on Sunday and early next week, says Environment Canada.