Published on February 23, 2024 at 4:25 p.m.
Updated February 23, 2024 at 4:30 p.m.
In a few days, Quebec will be the site of the most significant temperature anomaly in North America. This will confirm the historical trend of leniency in the province. Explanations.
Extraordinary anomaly
On February 27 and 28, Quebec will experience the most significant temperature anomaly on the entire North American continent for the second time this winter. The first time happened on December 18th. In both cases, the difference from normal conditions was greatest in Quebec. This exceptional situation contributes to the average temperatures for the season rising.
A historic winter
This anomaly will make the winter of 2023-2024 history in Quebec. With temperatures like those we will have on February 28th, the average increases. Temperatures of 10 to 15 degrees are forecast in the south on this day.
In the last three months, Montreal has experienced deviations of around 4 degrees from normal (a little more or a little less depending on the month).
Records to be beaten
The winter of 2023-2024 will make history. Did you think it was cute? It was, and the numbers prove it. We risk breaking previous records. In some cities like Val-d'Or it is already in the bag. With average temperatures of -8.4 degrees in winter, the winter average of -10 degrees in 2016 is exceeded. According to temperature forecasts, the cities of Montreal and Saguenay could also break their mildest winter records by the end of February. The battle will be fierce and will depend on the timing of the arrival of a cold front next week and the eventual temperature differences seen.
In collaboration with Nicolas Lessard, meteorologist.