Montreal Weather In February Will Be Bitterly Cold & Snow-Packed, According To Forecasts
Montreal's upcoming weather forecast might have you seriously considering hibernation as a viable option. A cold front is on its way, and with it, temperatures are expected to take a dive, making the inside of your freezer seem downright cozy in comparison.
The dreaded polar vortex is back, pulling temperatures across a significant part of the continent down 10 to 15 degrees below normal. For Montreal, the cold that has already made its icy entrance is here to stay, with a -15°C day — and taste of Arctic-like chill — already recorded on January 19. Other parts of the province are bracing for a wind chill factor that could reach a bone-chilling -45 to -50°C in some areas.
Eastern Quebec and the Atlantic provinces are expected to bear the brunt of a cold spell between January 23 and 24, with the situation only expected to intensify in February.
Snowfall, an ever-present feature of Quebec winters, is also set to make an appearance. While January and February typically vie for the title of the snowiest month, this year, February might just edge out with a higher daily snowfall average.
As the pressure from Arctic air descends, Quebec becomes a more active snow corridor. According to Météomédia, Montreal has seen February out-snow January 36 times since 1942. And with January already packing a snowy punch, February has a high potential for even more frozen precipitation.
Adding to immediate concerns, Environment Canada's forecast for this week paints a picture of fluctuating conditions. You can expect mainly cloudy skies on January 22 with a high of -2 C, feeling like -10 C in the wind. Light snow in the evening will give way to overcast skies, with temperatures dropping to -4 C. The mix of sun and cloud on January 23 will see temperatures hovering around -1 C, with wind chills making it feel much colder.
The rest of the week follows a similar pattern, with cloudy skies dominating and temperatures ranging from a high of 3 C on January 25 to lows reaching -10 C. The week will cap off with the potential for freezing rain or rain by Friday, indicating a tumultuous end to January and a harbinger of the unpredictable weather that next month is likely to bring.
As the city anticipates a frigid and snowy February, one thing is clear: spring is still a distant dream.
Environment Canada's forecast for Montreal showing snow between Thursday, December 15, and Sunday, December 18.
Weather forecast from Friday, March 4 to Thursday, March 10.