Published January 1, 2024 at 4:19 p.m.
The cold took a vacation far from Quebec. There will be a moderate and temporary return towards the end of this week. Forecast.
The trend continues
The year 2024 will begin the same way 2023 ended in terms of temperatures in Quebec. We will be at freezing point in most regions of the province of La Belle. At the beginning of the week we are talking about highs of 0° for the Capitale-Nationale, 2° for Montreal, -2° for Val-d'Or and -4° for Saguenay. These are above average conditions for the season.
Winter is back after the break
But towards the end of the week, winter will return. The drop in mercury will not be sudden, but will still be quite rapid and will be enough to start next weekend with a temperature about 5° below normal. We will lose between 11° and 15° in 24 to 36 hours. The maximum forecast will be -9° for Montreal, -11° in Saguenay, -12° in the Capitale-Nationale and -15° in Val-d'Or.
From the northern air
A cold front is the cause. It will cross Quebec from northwest to southeast. Behind this front we have a mass of cold air coming from the north that will settle in the territory of Quebec for a few days. Result: the coldest temperatures of the winter so far.
We take out the hat
We're still a long way from the polar cold at the moment, but the feelings will still justify wearing a scarf, hat and mittens. For Montreal, Estrie, the Laurentians and Abitibi-Témiscamingue the feeling will be between -14 and -16, very discreet overall for January. Further north the wind becomes a little more biting. We are talking about -19 in Quebec, -21 in Gaspé, -24 in Rimouski and -26 in Saguenay, Chibougamau and Sept-Îles.
Three little tricks…
However, this cold will only affect southern Quebec for a short time. Starting early next week, January 8, temperatures will rise near seasonal norms, and even slightly above in certain areas.
In collaboration with Alexandra Giroux, meteorologist