Get ready for a snowy headache to kick off the new year in Quebec

Montreal: Winter took a little break at the end of 2024, but it’s back with a bang as we kick off the new year in Quebec. A Colorado low is rolling in, and it’s set to blanket the area with snow.

This system is moving up from southern and eastern Ontario, and it’s expected to hit southern Quebec and the Eastern Townships hard on Wednesday. If you’re waking up after a night of New Year’s Eve celebrations, you might want to brace yourself for some snowy headaches.

So, what’s the scoop? Precipitation will start early Wednesday morning, kicking off as a mix of rain and snow in Montreal. But don’t get too comfy; temperatures will drop, and that mix will quickly turn into straight-up snow.

By the afternoon, Montreal will see the heaviest snowfall. Gatineau, near the Ontario border, will also be dealing with wet, heavy snow throughout the morning.

Good news? The winds won’t be too crazy, only reaching about 40-50 km/h. But for folks in Trois-Rivières, Quebec City, and parts of the Eastern Townships, it’s going to be a different story. They’ll be facing some serious snowfall as the low moves through southeastern Quebec.

Heavy snow is expected to start Wednesday afternoon and could last into early Thursday. Environment and Climate Change Canada has even issued a special weather statement, warning that we could see over 15 cm of snow by Thursday morning.

As for the winds, they’ll pick up on Thursday, especially in Montreal and the Richelieu Valley, with gusts hitting up to 70 km/h. This could lead to some tricky travel conditions due to poor visibility.

And just when you thought it couldn’t get colder, Arctic air is set to sweep into Eastern Canada. The first few weeks of 2025 are looking like they’ll be chilly, with temperatures dipping below normal.

So, keep an eye on the weather updates and stay safe out there!