MétéoMédia editorial team
Published October 15, 2023 at 12:01 p.m.
Updated October 15, 2023 at 3:00 p.m.
The mild October nights delay the first frosts almost everywhere in the province. Forecasts.
A widespread delay
The weather has cooled down over the last week, leaving a more present impression of autumn. However, the nights remain relatively mild in many parts of the province, so the first frosts are delayed.
Currently, Val-d’Or and Saguenay are the only cities that fell below the 0 degree threshold overnight. Note that our main train stations are in these locations, but other sectors elsewhere in Quebec must also have reached this mark.
On the way to late frost records
If this trend continues, this delay could lead to record late frosts for several sectors. In Gaspésie, the record already fell a few days ago, although it dates back to October 8, 2021.
Next on the list is Sherbrooke. We are closely monitoring the Estonian capital, whose first frosts are already a month late. The old record dates from October 20, 2005 and could easily be beaten in the following days. More records could follow, near Roberval or even Quebec.
Sweet nights
On October nights temperatures were higher than usual. We remember that the first week of the month was marked by a significant surge of heat. In the south of the province, temperatures reached around 30 degrees for several days, leading to an oppressive start to autumn. Apparently all the heat had an impact on nighttime temperatures.
While the mercury fell again in the second week, clouds prevailed overnight. By absorbing heat near the ground, they helped keep temperatures cooler.