Image Courtesy: Paul Chiasson, The Canadian Press - Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal
Unlike the previous year's holiday season, Quebec residents are in for a pleasant surprise with a favourable weather forecast from Environment Canada, ensuring smooth holiday travels until mid-week.
In stark contrast to the challenging conditions experienced during Christmas 2022, characterized by a severe snowstorm sweeping across eastern Canada, leaving a trail of power outages on Christmas Eve in Quebec and the Maritimes, this year's outlook is considerably more promising.
"We're fortunate this year. Travel won't pose any difficulties," reassured Michèle Fleury, a meteorologist at Environment Canada.
The current weather tranquility can be attributed to a high-pressure system prevailing over eastern Canada. Additionally, temperatures are expected to experience a gradual increase over the weekend, surpassing the 0-degree Celsius mark in several areas on Sunday. While temperatures may dip in the evening, Christmas Day is anticipated to be milder.
Over the next few days, clouds are predicted to make an appearance. On the morning of December 25, any lingering patches of fog are expected to dissipate, but there is a potential risk of freezing drizzle.
Not until Wednesday is there a possibility of a low-pressure system, currently forming over Colorado, bringing rain, freezing rain, or snow to various regions of Quebec and the Maritimes.
"The low-pressure system is likely to move through between Wednesday and Friday, so by New Year's Day, it appears that it will have passed, and we'll return to a cold air mass. However, the weather should remain relatively favourable," explained Fleury.
A preceding rain system earlier in the week had already melted the snow cover in many parts of Quebec, and high winds in the Maritimes led to numerous power outages.
This update by The Canadian Press was originally published in French on December 24, 2023.
