Quebec is under another winter storm warning as snow, rain and ice pellets make their way to the southern part of the province.
Snow has already begun in the Montreal area, and significant amounts of snow – 15 to 30 centimeters – and snow are expected through Friday.
“Québécois in general are used to winter, you have more snow days than any other province in Canada,” said Environment and Climate Change Canada’s David Phillips.
“We know where our snow shovels are, we know where our antifreeze is… It’s going to be another storm, but it might not be a memorable one.”
He said the storm would be short-lived and should be gone by the weekend.
Transports Québec warned that up to 40 centimeters of snow could fall in some regions and driving conditions on Friday are expected to be difficult, especially with the advancing snow.
In Chaudière-Appalaches, the Center de service scolaire des Navigateurs announced that all its schools – primary, secondary, commercial and adult – would be closed on Friday, but school day care services would remain open.
Although Montreal is no longer expecting freezing rain and ice pellets, some areas, such as the Eastern Townships, could see a combination of precipitation.
Environment Canada said “rapidly accumulating snow may make travel difficult in some locations.”
“There could be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas,” according to the weather warning.
“[The snow] is significant. It’s obviously going to affect people, they may want to postpone today and maybe tomorrow things they can do over the weekend,” Phillips said.
“The weekend looks great! Sunny, fresh and cool with a white blanket. I mean, you’ll feel and look like winter, and of course it’s what you’ve been waiting for!”
The City of Montreal is gearing up
About 1,000 city trucks are full of salt and ready to prepare roads and sidewalks for incoming ice as of Thursday afternoon, spokesman Philippe Sabourin said.
“Road conditions may be difficult tomorrow morning. So on Friday, if people can take buses, trains or metro, that would be a good option,” he said.
The fewer people on the road, “the easier it will be for our crew to clean the streets and sidewalks.”
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