Quebec: Heavy snow and rain as system moves through province
The potent storm is hitting Quebec with some heavy rain and snow, making for difficult travel and cancelling some schools.
Quebec is being slammed by a potent system with uneven effects across the province, from heavy rain in the Montreal and eastern townships, to heavy snow for more eastern areas, with up to 40 cm expected just a bit north of Quebec City. For a more detailed look, see below.
WEATHER HIGHLIGHTS
Heavy rain into the afternoon for western areas, including Montreal
Heavy snow for eastern areas, including Quebec City, ending Friday night
Strong winds into the afternoon make for blowing snow
Keep on top of active weather ALERTS for your area
As the system moves through the region and into Atlantic Canada, moderate to heavy rain will continue to fall across much of southern Quebec into the early afternoon hours, including Montreal, where there is a rainfall warning in effect, and the eastern townships.
Further downriver, freezing rain will continue over the Quebec City region into the early afternoon as well, so travellers should be aware of the risks. The conditions prompted Quebec school boards to close several schools across the region, particularly in the capital area.
"The combination of rain and mild temperatures may accelerate the melt of the snow cover," Environment Canada says. "Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible."
For more eastern areas of Quebec, very heavy snow will be the issue, particularly for areas like Sept-Iles and other areas along the St. Lawrence, where as much as 40 cm of snow could fall.
Making travel worse will be gusty winds, potentially up to 80 km/h in some areas, raising the potential for blowing snow.
The rain will ease for Montreal around the dinner hour and the snow will ease for eastern Quebec late Friday night.