Drivers should celebrate Christmas at home and avoid taking the road because of a major winter storm that has been sweeping across Quebec since Thursday night.
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Snow, high winds, torrential downpours, an all-weather cocktail beckons this Christmas Eve as if to play killjoy while Quebecers hope to wake up free of COVID-19-related health restrictions.
More than 1,000 schools announced they were closing for the day across the province. Check out the full list here.
Photo agency QMI, Mario Beauregard
In the greater Montreal area, snowfall, some heavy, will give way to rain on Friday morning, with a risk of freezing rain as temperatures rise, combined with strong winds gusting to 80 km/h in the afternoon.
Six inches to eight inches of snow is expected Thursday night through Friday morning, Environment Canada said, adding that the rapid accumulation of snow will make roads harder to travel.
In addition to the weather cocktail, strong winds will blow in several sectors in other parts of the province, which could lead to blackouts due to the risk of spending Christmas in the dark.
Be careful on the streets
Despite the clearing of streets in Montreal, road conditions are proving difficult and may even worsen given the federal government’s expectation of rainfall levels.
While loading the snow from the first storm is almost complete, Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante called on the population to be careful and avoid unnecessary travel as much as possible.
“We’re gearing up for a second broadside that will be mixed with rain in Montreal. This storm could make travel difficult. Be careful,” Mayor Plante tweeted.
The loading of the snow that fell during the first storm will soon be 100% complete. ❄️
We brace ourselves for a second broadside that will be mixed with rain in Montreal. This storm could make travel difficult. Be careful. #polmtl
— Valerie Plante (@Val_Plante) December 22, 2022
Quebec 511 reported some inconveniences on certain highways with lane closures overnight Thursday, but with no major impact on traffic, which will not be the case if the storm intensifies throughout Friday.