Some regions, such as central Quebec, will wake up to snowflakes on Thursday, but they could quickly turn into freezing rain later in the day and make roads slippery, Environment Canada warned.
Nearly 5 centimeters of snow is expected in the south of the province starting Thursday morning, but the precipitation could quickly turn into light freezing rain, with temperatures likely to rise above freezing, particularly in the greater Montreal area and Lanaudière, the federal agency said.
In Gatineau, 2 to 5 centimeters of snow and sleet are also expected to accumulate on certain surfaces, while the area remains at risk of freezing rain.
“Snow and sleet continue this morning. […] Precipitation is expected to turn to scattered showers in the late morning or early afternoon as temperatures rise above freezing,” Environment Canada said on its website.
In the national capital and central Quebec, snow is expected to begin falling in the morning, leaving a few centimeters of accumulation on the ground, while the mercury temperature will also reach a high of 0, with a wind chill of minus 9.
Snowflakes could again give way to freezing drizzle this evening, while Environment Canada is also reporting intermittent snow mixed with rain in Estrie, Beauce, Mauricie, Drummondville and Montmagny.
The Laurentides, Maniwaki, Pontiac and Témiscamingue sectors will be treated to snow, with 5 to 10 centimeters forecast by Thursday afternoon.
Environment Canada also issued a blizzard warning in Salluit in the far north, where winds of up to 80 kilometers per hour could blow snow, significantly reducing visibility for several hours.