Quebec braces for another winter storm
Erika Morris | CBC News | Posted: January 12, 2023 6:07 PM | Last Updated: January 13, 2023
First school closures announced
Quebec is under yet another winter storm warning as snow, rain and ice pellets make their way to the south of the province.
Snow has already started in the Montreal area, and significant snowfall amounts — 15 to 30 centimetres — and blowing snow are expected until Friday.
"Generally Quebecers are used to winter, you have more snow days than any other province in Canada," said David Phillips of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"We know where our snow shovels are, we know where our antifreeze fluid is … It will be another storm, but it might not be memorable."
He says the storm will be short-lived and should be over by the weekend.
Transports Québec warned that some regions could get up to 40 centimetres of snow and driving conditions Friday are expected to be difficult, particularly because of blowing snow.
In Chaudière-Appalaches, the Centre de service scolaire des Navigateurs announced all its schools — primary, secondary, trade and adult — would be closed Friday, but school daycare services would remain open.
While Montreal is no longer expecting freezing rain and ice pellets, some areas, like the Eastern Townships, could see a mix of precipitation.
Environment Canada said "rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations."
"There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas," according to its weather warning.
"[The snow] is significant. It will clearly affect people, they might want to put off today and maybe tomorrow things they can do on the weekend," said Phillips.
"The weekend looks beautiful! Sunshine, crisp and cool with a white cover. I mean it's going to feel and look like winter and of course that's what you've been waiting for!"
City of Montreal prepares
About 1,000 city trucks are full of salt and ready to prepare roads and sidewalks for incoming ice, starting Thursday afternoon, said spokesperson Philippe Sabourin.
"The conditions of the roads might be difficult tomorrow morning. So Friday, if people can take buses or the train or the Metro, that would be a good option," he said.
The fewer people on the road, "the easier it will be for our crew to clean the streets and sidewalks."