You can say goodbye to the fleeting mild weather, the onset of spring is officially on ice. Montreal is gearing up for a cold snap that promises to sprinkle streets with snow and dial down the thermostat. This week marks a stark contrast from the recent comfortable climate, as a wave of cold air from the northwest descends on the city.
According to Météomédia, temperatures are expected to tumble below the seasonal average. Northwestern regions of Quebec will be particularly hard hit, where mercury levels are predicted to drop to the minus 20 C mark. While Montreal might dodge the harshest cold, the city won't escape unscathed. Forecasters suggest that the coming days will see maximum temperatures around 5 C below the typical figures for this time of year.
The end of the week will see the winter's grip tighten, with the high struggling to climb above minus 1 C. It might be a good time to reconsider outdoor plans or at least layer up significantly before stepping out.
Here's a detailed breakdown of this week's Montreal forecast:
Monday kicks off with a blanket of clouds overhead, bringing a mixed bag of weather conditions. There's a 40 percent chance of flurries in the morning, potentially turning into rain or continuing as flurries into the afternoon. The wind might reach up to 50 km/h, adding a brisk edge to the day's high of 4 C. As night falls, the flurries or rain showers may persist, maintaining a chill with temperatures dipping to minus 3 C, feeling more like minus 9 C when the wind hits.
Tuesday doesn't promise much better. Skies are expected to remain mostly cloudy, with the wind continuing from the west. The temperature should peak at a modest 3 C, but don't let that fool you — the wind chill in the morning could make it feel as frosty as minus 9 C. Overnight, it will stay cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries and temperatures hovering around minus 2 C.
Wednesday will have periods of snow or rain expected throughout the day, with a high of 3 C. The night follows suit with cloudy skies and a 60 percent chance of flurries, as temperatures dip to minus 4 C.
Thursday will keep the cold but ditch the precipitation during the day, offering a cloudy but dry forecast with a high of minus 2 C. The clear night sky brings a sharper drop in temperature to minus 10 C.
As we head into Friday, the sun will finally make an entrance, albeit with the temperature stubbornly fixed at zero. The night sky remains clear, but the temperature takes another nosedive to minus 12 C.
As for the weekend, Montrealers can expect a slight reprieve with a mix of sun and cloud and a modest chance of flurries. Saturday could see temperatures attempting to climb back to a more bearable 1 C, but the night promises colder, settling at minus 8 C. Sunday will balance sun and clouds without an increase in warmth, standing firm at zero.
Montreal faces a week of winter's late flourish. While the snow may not set new records, the chill will certainly remind everyone that spring isn't here just yet.
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
