Texas low delivers Quebec a winter wallop, dicey travel expected
Strong winds, snow and potential blizzard conditions for parts of Quebec will make for treacherous driving as the province's first major winter storm of the season deals a heavy blow
A Texas low will continue to make its presence felt in Quebec Wednesday, moving through with a bout of heavy snow, ice and howling wind gusts that will likely make for hazardous travel.
Going somewhere? Check out the current highway conditions before heading out!
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued winter storm warnings Tuesday morning across much of the province. Dangerous road conditions can be expected and power outages are possible. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
There is the chance for some areas to see upwards of 30-40 cm of snow by the time the system departs.
The sprawling, low-pressure system is drawing on cold air from Canada, warm and humid air from the Gulf of Mexico, and a tremendous amount of energy swinging over the Rockies to produce an array of hazardous weather across the continent.
WATCH: Everything you need to know about messy Quebec storm
Wednesday morning commute likely to be dangerous
Snowfall began Tuesday afternoon in southern Quebec and will intensify overnight. Blizzard conditions are possible outside of Quebec City where persistent 40+ km/h winds and heavy snow rates will create near impossible travel.
Whiteout conditions are forecast widespread in Quebec by Wednesday morning for some seeing significant snowfall and winter travel woes, but a transition to rain will occur for others south and east.
Heavy snow will continue through the overnight hours, which will drop upwards to 30-40 cm in the Laurentians by Wednesday afternoon.
In the pre-dawn hours Wednesday morning, there is the chance for some rain to push into Gatineau and Montreal after seeing 15-25 cm of snow –– 15 cm in the south and up to 25 cm in northern areas.
There is the chance of a period of ice pellets and freezing rain before 5-10 mm of rain is expected through Wednesday. Quebec City is expected to see 20-30 cm of snow as its precipitation remains as snow through the entire event.
Warm temperatures will push into the Eastern Townships after receiving 5-10 cm of snow, bringing 5-10 mm of rain.
As the system moves east, the precipitation will end from west to east from Wednesday afternoon through the evening.
But, that won't be the end of the stormy weather for Quebec as forecasters are already eyeing the next storm, which will bring widespread, strong winds and heavy snow into southern and central Quebec this weekend. Areas near and south of the St. Lawrence River could see the snow change to rain for a while, but much of the precipitation should fall as snow.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest on this major storm in Quebec.