Rainfall amounts of up to 100 millimeters and possible heat records expected today could dash hopes of a white Christmas in the old capital and eastern Quebec.
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“We will see all colors! Certainly not white, but green, brown, all shades will pass,” said meteorologist Gilles Brien in an interview with LCN.
Environment Canada has issued a series of rain warnings for amounts between 40 and 100 millimeters.
A large part of Beauce, Haute-Côte-Nord and Baie-des-Chaleurs is affected by these warnings. At the moment, Bas-Saint-Laurent seems to have been spared.
“Torrential rains can cause flash flooding and water accumulation on roads. Flooding is possible in lowland areas,” Environment Canada specifies in its warning.
A week before Christmas, hopes for a white Christmas seem to be fading under the snow in certain areas. Environment Canada is forecasting no further snowfall until the holidays.
It is an “extraordinary” system that originates in Florida and moves up the American east coast, bringing this rain to Quebec, explains meteorologist Amélie Bertrand. “Monday will see the heaviest rain during the day,” she added.
The last time the region had significant amounts of rain in mid-December was in 2000, Ms. Bertrand recalled.
Heat records
In addition to this precipitation, a small heat wave will cause the mercury to rise, and seasonal heat records could be broken on Monday.
In Quebec it could reach 9 degrees Celsius, ending a record set in 1996. The normal temperature expected at this time of year is -5 degrees.
With forecasts of between 6 and 7 degrees in Sept-Îles, a record from 1976 could be broken.
“Very strong winds are expected in Beauce and areas of Gaspésie,” adds Gilles Brien.
No delay for the ice hotel
The artistic director of the Hôtel de Glace at Village Vacances Valcartier, Guy-Olivier Deveau, was contacted by Le Journal and assured that this heat will not affect the work.
“We are still aiming for a soft opening before the end of the year,” he says. “In a worst-case scenario, this soft opening could be delayed by just one day.”
The hotel's construction progress is around 40%. Photo Diane Tremblay
Furthermore, such rain and heat episodes could become more frequent due to climate change.
“It is certain that this is the case in the context of global warming [débalancements] Weather will become more common,” explains Amélie Bertrand.
The last Green Christmas was in Quebec in 2015, while in Montreal we celebrated Green Christmas in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Possible heat records (for December 18th)
- 9 degrees Celsius Montreal (Recording from 1921)
- 9 degrees Celsius Quebec (recording from 1996)
- 9 degrees Celsius Bagotville (Recording from 1894)
- 7 degrees Celsius to Sept-Iles (recording from 1973)
- 13 degrees Celsius Rimouski (recording from 2000)
Rainfall amounts are forecast for certain areas
- Quebec: 60 to 100 millimeters
- Stoneham: 60 to 100 millimeters
- Saint Georges: 20 to 40 millimeters
- Sept-Iles: 50 to 80 millimeters
- Saguenay: 20 to 40 millimeters