Neige: Quebec’s Rollercoaster Weather – From Summer Heat to Potential Snow

Quebec’s Wild Weather Ride: A Taste of Summer Followed by a Potential Snowfall

After days of grey, rainy spring weather, Quebec is set to experience a brief burst of summer-like warmth this Saturday… but winter isn’t quite ready to relinquish its grip. The province is caught in a dramatic shift, showcasing the unpredictable nature of spring.

A Spring Transition in Full Swing

As of Wednesday, April 15th, Montreal and much of Quebec are experiencing typical spring conditions: rain, overcast skies, and cool temperatures. “It’s typical of a transition season between winter and summer,” explains Julien Pellerin, a meteorologist with Environment Canada at QMI Agency. According to Mr. Pellerin, the province is caught in a “battle of air masses” between warm and cold fronts, despite the meteorological spring having officially begun on March 1st. A series of low-pressure systems are continuing to move across the province.

Rainy Forecast for Thursday and Friday

From Thursday evening through Friday morning, sustained rainfall is expected, with accumulations of 15 to 20 mm across a wide corridor stretching from the Greater Montreal area to the Mauricie and northern Outaouais regions. Temperatures will vary significantly on Thursday, around 15°C in the south, but cooler elsewhere, particularly in eastern and northern Quebec.

A Summer Preview on Saturday

Friday will see temperatures begin to climb, reaching 17 to 18°C in Montérégie and nearing 20°C in parts of southern Outaouais. However, Saturday is when the real heat arrives. A warm air mass originating from the Gulf of Mexico and the central United States will push temperatures above 20°C in many areas. Montreal and Trois-Rivières could reach 20°C, while Montérégie and the Ottawa region might see 21 to 22°C – a genuine taste of summer!

The Chill Returns: Potential for Snow!

Unfortunately, this respite will be short-lived. A significant weather system will bring rain to southern and central Quebec on Sunday, including Montreal and Outaouais. Then, between Sunday and Monday, temperatures will plummet. In the St. Lawrence Valley, temperatures could dip close to 0°C.

This dramatic temperature drop could bring the possibility of snow to several regions, including Montreal, the Eastern Townships (Estrie), the Mauricie, and Beauce, although significant accumulation isn’t currently predicted. These colder temperatures, however, are expected to be brief, lasting no more than two days before a return to seasonal norms with warmer temperatures, according to Julien Pellerin.

Stay tuned to Environment Canada for the latest updates and forecasts.

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