Similar to Ontario, Quebec will be in for a snowy, rainy and icy ride into Friday. A potent low-pressure system will swing through with heavy rain, snow and freezing rain and ice pellets Thursday. The messy mix will be accompanied by near record high temperatures to start the day before falling fast as it progresses. With a sharp temperature drop, surfaces may become slippery and quite treacherous as snow will accumulate on top. A large swath of 15-30 cm of snow is expected for areas along the St. Lawrence River including Montreal. Drivers are being urged to consider postponing any non-essential travel. More on the timing and impacts of this system, below.
THURSDAY INTO FRIDAY: RAIN, ICE, SNOW AND RAPIDLY FALLING TEMPERATURES TO MAKE A MESS OF THE LATE WEEK
Tricky travel is expected across much of Quebec into Friday morning, as a large weather system brings in a messy mix of heavy rain, ice and snow. Widespread special weather statements and winter storm, snowfall and flash freeze warnings are in place.
Similar to Ontario, temperatures have risen over southern sections of Quebec, and by Thursday, daytime highs will reach near record highs over most areas.
According to the system’s current forecast track, several areas could receive significant amounts of rain or snow. Precipitation is expected to begin as rain Thursday morning. Rain transitions to snow Thursday evening with some areas seeing ice pellets and freezing rain during that transition, especially the Eastern Townships. This will be followed by a rapid drop in temperatures, which could freeze over the still-wet road surfaces, making surfaces even more treacherous.
“Heavy rain could cause local flash floods and ponding on the roads on Thursday. Surfaces like roads, streets, walkways and parking lots could become icy, slippery and dangerous Thursday evening and Thursday night. Consider modifying any non-essential travel plans,” Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) warns in a special weather statement.
The snow will begin to wind down from west to east Friday morning across southern Quebec, ending in the early morning for Montreal. The heaviest totals will be found in higher elevations, northeast of Quebec City, where 30-50 cm is possible through Friday morning. A large swath of 15-30 cm is expected for areas along the St. Lawrence River, including Montreal and Quebec City.
While temperatures will be cold Friday morning, Saturday morning temperatures will be even colder with -20s forecast.
The rapid drop in temperatures could make surfaces like roads, walkways and parking lots extremely icy and slippery.
Be sure to check back for the latest updates on this storm system in Quebec.
https://news.yahoo.com/tricky-travel-threat-quebec-heavy-150552039.html