Hydro-Québec Power Outages: Quebec Grapples with Extreme Weather

Montreal, QC – March 17, 2026 – A powerful cold front sweeping across Quebec is causing widespread power outages and hazardous conditions, leaving over 70,000 Hydro-Québec customers in the dark. The rapid escalation of outages began early Tuesday morning, impacting nearly every region of the province.

Widespread Disruptions Across Quebec

As of 5:30 a.m. EST, more than 70,000 homes and businesses were without electricity, a number that climbed quickly in the preceding hour. The Laurentians, Lanaudière, and Montérégie regions are bearing the brunt of the storm, with each reporting over 10,000 addresses affected. Chaudière-Appalaches, Estrie, and Montreal are also experiencing significant disruptions, with between 5,000 and 10,000 outages reported in each area.

Outages have also been reported in Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Capitale-Nationale, Centre-du-Québec, Mauricie, Outaouais, and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean, highlighting the extensive reach of the storm.

Strong Winds and Plunging Temperatures

The weather system, which began impacting the province Monday evening, continues to move northeastward. While precipitation is falling as rain or snow depending on the location, it’s the fierce winds that are the primary cause of the power disruptions. Environment Canada has issued wind warnings for several areas, including the Eastern Townships, Quebec City region, the Lower St. Lawrence, and the North Shore, forecasting gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour.

A winter storm warning is also in effect for regions like Abitibi-Témiscamingue, predicting an additional 5 to 10 centimetres of snow by midday. The passage of this system is accompanied by a dramatic temperature drop. In Montreal, where temperatures reached a mild 14 Celsius on Monday evening, the mercury is expected to plummet to -8 C on Tuesday. Factoring in the wind chill, it will feel as cold as -16 C.

Other News from Montreal

• Laval Daycare Bus Crash: Pierre Ny St-Amand has been declared a high-risk offender.
• Old Montreal Fire Anniversary: The three-year anniversary of the tragic building fire that claimed seven lives has passed with no charges laid.
• Spring Cleanup Preparations: Montreal is gearing up for its annual spring cleanup.
• Oscar Win for Montreal Filmmakers: “The Girl Who Cried Pearls,” directed by Montrealers Chris Lavis and Maciek Szczerbowski, won the Oscar for best animated short film.
• Gas Prices Rise: Montreal drivers are facing rising gas prices, now at 187.9 cents a litre.
• Quebec Independence Movement: OUI Québec has opened Club Pays, the first sovereigntist café in the province.
• St. Patrick’s Day Parade: Montreal is preparing for its 201st St. Patrick’s Day parade.

Stay Informed: For the latest updates on power outages, visit the Hydro-Québec website. For weather updates, check Environment Canada.