Montreal recorded nearly 60 millimeters of precipitation in 12 hours, and the rain continues to fall. Up to 120 millimeters could accumulate in places. Already, some streets are facing accumulations of water.
Until now, the low pressure system affecting Quebec crosses an axis that goes from the southwest of Montérégie to Lanaudière. Right in the middle: the island of Montreal, where significant quantities of water have already accumulated.
As of 8 a.m. Saturday, the downtown station showed 59 millimeters of accumulated rain. “It’s huge and it continues to fall,” underlines Julien Chartrand, meteorologist for Environment Canada.
Another 30 to 50 millimeters of water is expected in Montreal by the end of the day. The metropolis could therefore have to absorb a total of 100 millimeters of rain, or even more. “It doesn’t happen often,” notes the meteorologist. Remember that for the entire month of September, only 27 millimeters of rain were recorded, well below normal.
The rest of the province less affected
Water accumulations have so far less affected other regions of the province. In Outaouais, 10 to 25 millimeters of rain have fallen so far. The west of Montérégie accumulated 40 millimeters, but the quantities are decreasing in the east. In Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, for example, only 11 millimeters had been recorded at 8 a.m.
The precipitation had not started on Saturday morning in Estrie or in the Quebec region either. In Trois-Rivières, 12 millimeters were observed.
But it’s not over yet. “For the rest of the day today, this evening, tonight and until midday tomorrow, most regions of Quebec will be under sustained rain,” indicates Mr. Chartrand.
However, the expected quantities vary by region, with the Laurentians, Montreal and Lanaudière being the most heavily affected sectors. In Charlevoix, north of the St. Lawrence River, 80 to 100 millimeters of water could fall in places.
Estrie and Beauce can expect 20 to 40 millimeters of rain. In Quebec, precipitation should be around 25 to 50 millimeters. Towards the east of the province, that is to say in Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie, the quantities should also be lower: 20 to 40 millimeters for Bas-Saint-Laurent, and up to 40 millimeters in Gaspésie.
Fusion with the storm Philip
This low pressure system arriving from the west is expected to merge with the remnants of the tropical storm on Saturday Philip, coming from the Maritimes. “It will result in a major depression system,” specifies Julien Chartrand. The rain that we expect near Quebec and Charlevoix is rather associated with Philip. »
Due to the tropical storm, some areas could experience stronger winds. In Quebec, gusts could reach 60 to 70 kilometers/hour on Sunday. The North Shore and the Gaspé Peninsula will also face significant winds. A wind warning is also in effect for part of the North Shore, with gusts that could reach 90 kilometers per hour.
Beware of flooding and landslides
Several streets in Montreal were indeed subject to accumulations of water early Saturday morning. In some cases, water overflowed onto sidewalks and surrounding home yards.
“With these quantities of rain, it is certain that it can cause impacts, such as river overflows, accumulations of water on the road and landslides, especially in mountainous regions,” specifies Mr. Chartrand .
Residents of the Laurentians, Lanaudière and Charlevoix are invited to be careful near watercourses to avoid land subsidence, in particular.