Spring-like temperatures greeted Quebecers the day after Christmas. The mercury is expected to remain above freezing in the coming days, accompanied by a mix of rain and drizzle. Glimmer of hope: flakes could appear towards the end of the week.
Temperatures remained above seasonal norms on Tuesday in southern Quebec. In Montreal, the mercury reached 5 oC, while the usual maximum is -4 oC, according to Katarina Radovanovic, meteorologist for Environment Canada. The forecast is similar for Wednesday and Thursday.
Nights are normally around -13 oC at this time of year, when they will hardly go down due to the cloud cover, she adds.
On the capital side, the mercury reached 2 oC Tuesday, when the usual normal is -7 oC the day and -15o the night.
Drizzle, freezing rain and snowflakes
From Tuesday evening and for the next few days, a low pressure system coming from the south is expected to bring precipitation to the province. However, a “low pressure zone” covers part of central Quebec, from James Bay to the Gaspésie, blocking this precipitation.
Result: A mix of drizzle, rain, snow, freezing rain and freezing drizzle is expected, with variations depending on region and time of day. “It’s not a very stable situation,” says M.me Radovanović.
A freezing rain warning is in effect as of Tuesday evening for part of Abitibi-Témiscamingue. If the expected quantities are not very high, rain or freezing drizzle could make the roads slippery, warns Environment Canada.
Starting Wednesday, freezing rain could move southeast, towards Montmagny, in Chaudière-Appalaches. Meanwhile, regions north of the St. Lawrence River, such as Abitibi-Témiscamingue, northern Mauricie, Réserve faunique des Laurentides and Charlevoix can expect to receive snow.
As for southern Quebec, notably Greater Montreal and Montérégie, mist is forecast for Wednesday and rain for Thursday. Precipitation could vary from 5 to 10 millimeters of rain depending on the sector, according to Mme Radovanović.
Snow on Saturday?
It is a little early to confirm it, but a few snowflakes could appear in the south of the province on Friday or Saturday, adds the meteorologist. Temperatures are expected to drop below zero in Montreal on Saturday. Precipitation is also forecast, which could lead to light snow cover.
A similar scenario is expected in Quebec, possibly as early as Friday.
Temperatures are then expected to remain below zero for the arrival of the new year.