A serious ice storm is forecast to hit southern Quebec on Wednesday with between 20 and 30 millimetres of freezing rain over 24 hours in areas stretching from the Outaouais area via to Montreal and as much as Quebec Metropolis.
Many college boards throughout the province cancelled lessons on Wednesday and the Metropolis of Montreal stated it was able to activate emergency measures if mandatory.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Montreal is under a severe weather warning and we could get our worst ice storm in years
Simon Legault, meteorologist with Atmosphere Canada, stated the storm, which can start in japanese Ontario, ought to cross into Quebec early Wednesday morning. Bouts of gentle climate might flip the freezing rain to rain in sure areas by 4 p.m.
Nevertheless, he stated, below-freezing temperatures within the following days will maintain surfaces icy and will set off extended energy outages if frozen branches knock down electrical strains.
Quebecers ought to fill up on meals, batteries and water in anticipation of energy failures, and keep away from utilizing heaters not appropriate for indoors that would result in carbon monoxide poisoning, Legault stated.
“When there’s a energy outage lasting a number of days, it’s essential to be sure you have a specific amount of provides,” he advised a technical briefing.
Atmosphere Canada warned of potential delays and cancellations in transportation, including that the burden of the ice “will seemingly trigger important injury to property, buildings and timber.”
Quebec’s Transportation Division stated its crews will likely be deployed throughout the street community to unfold de-icing brokers and abrasives. The division requested drivers to train excessive warning and adapt their driving to street situations.
In the meantime, the Metropolis of Montreal says it is able to implement emergency measures as wanted.
“As quickly because the freezing rain begins, we are going to mobilize 1,000 staff to unfold salt,” Alexandre Devaux-Guizani, deputy chief of the Metropolis of Montreal’s government committee, advised a information convention. He stated crews will focus their consideration on the sloped sections of the ten,000 kilometres of streets and pavement in Montreal.
If emergency measures are triggered, the Purple Cross will likely be mobilized and shelters will open if mandatory. The town can be making ready groups to take away branches and safe roads.
Employers are suggested to encourage distant work on Wednesday to permit for higher site visitors circulate to assist metropolis staff clear up storm injury.
Many college boards in southern Quebec stated they might cancel lessons on Wednesday, with others advising dad and mom to watch the boards’ social media pages for updates.
In the meantime, areas of Quebec the place freezing rain shouldn’t be within the forecast can count on heavy snow.
Areas north of Montreal are beneath snowfall alerts, with between 20 and 30 centimetres within the forecast for areas together with La Tuque, Charlevoix, Saguenay and Rimouski.
Farther north, the Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles areas might see between 30 and 40 centimetres of snow.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed March 10, 2026.