It'll be -24 in Montreal next week — Here's how that compares to the city's coldest days

Let's hope it's not one for the record books. 🧊🌡️

A cold winter day in Montreal.

Montreal weather Is headed for extreme cold this weekend.

Senior Writer

Wrap up, folks! Montreal is about to be hit with some of its coldest weather in years, although, fortunately, the temperatures are unlikely to reach record-breaking lows.

As the polar vortex makes its way into North America, Montreal is set to receive a significant drop in temperatures this weekend and early into next week. The latest weather forecasts predict a wave of intense cold sweeping across the entirety of Quebec.

According to The Weather Network's latest projections, the coldest period will occur between Sunday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 21, with Monday being the chilliest.

Daytime highs are expected to reach -15 C, with overnight lows dropping all the way down to -24 C. Factor in 20 km/h wind gusts, and it'll feel closer to a teeth-chattering -30 C. Tuesday won't be any easier, with highs of -17 C and nighttime lows of -23 C.

With that said, you probably don't need us to tell you to bundle up or, even better, stay inside if you can.

While Montreal is no stranger to brutal winters, the city hasn't seen temperatures dip below -20 C since February 2023. Over the last five years, Montreal's coldest weather has usually struck in late January, though the most extreme lows have often come later in the season.

So, how will the upcoming cold front compare to the city's coldest days on record?

According to data collected by extremeweatherwatch.com, the coldest temperature recorded in Montreal occurred back on January 15, 1957, when the thermometer plummeted to a frigid -37.8 C.

Here's a list of other brutally cold days — some of which our more seasoned readers may remember, and others you're probably glad you weren't around for.

Top 15 coldest days recorded in Montreal

  1. -37.8 C – January 15, 1957
  2. -35.2 C – January 4, 1981
  3. -33.9 C – February 15, 1943
  4. -33.9 C – December 29, 1933
  5. -33.5 C – January 3, 1981
  6. -33.3 C – February 16, 1943
  7. -32.8 C – December 30, 1933
  8. -32.8 C – February 11, 1914
  9. 32.8 C – January 13, 1914
  10. -32.4 C – December 25, 1980
  11. -32.2 C – February 10, 1951
  12. -32.2 C – December 20, 1942
  13. -32.2 C – February 12, 1914
  14. -32.2 C – January 9, 1887
  15. -32.2 C – January 24, 1882

  • Al Sciola
  • Born and raised in Montreal, Al Sciola is a Senior Writer for MTL Blog. With a background in covering sports and local events, he has a knack for finding stories that capture the city’s spirit. A lifelong Canadiens fan and trivia enthusiast, Al spends his downtime sipping espresso and trying out new recipes in the kitchen.

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