A pedestrian walks through freezing rain in Montreal on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. Photo credit: The Canadian Press.
A powerful ice storm moved across Quebec on Wednesday, bringing freezing rain, power outages, and travel disruptions to several regions. Authorities warned residents to remain alert as dangerous weather conditions affected roads, public transportation, and daily services.
Environment officials forecast between 20 and 30 millimetres of freezing rain, a level that can cause serious damage to power lines and trees. The storm affected large areas of the province, including Greater Montreal, Montérégie, Outaouais, Laurentians, Lanaudière, Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec and the Quebec City region.
Power Outages Grow Across the Province
Power failures increased throughout the day as ice built up on power lines and tree branches. By late evening, more than 100,000 households across Quebec had lost electricity.
Montérégie reported the largest number of outages, with more than 43,000 homes without power. Montreal also experienced significant disruptions, with nearly 19,000 households affected.
Outaouais followed with more than 13,000 homes without electricity.
Several Montreal neighbourhoods faced outages as well. Saint-Laurent reported more than 1,000 homes without power. Montreal-Est, Dollard-des-Ormeaux, and Baie-D’Urfé also recorded hundreds of affected households.
Earlier in the evening, officials reported that more than 92,000 customers had already lost power across the province. The number continued to rise as the storm intensified.
Transportation and Transit Disruptions
The storm also disrupted transportation in several parts of Quebec.
The Réseau express métropolitain (REM) halted service between Brossard and Central Station in both directions because of icy conditions on the tracks. Officials expect service to resume Thursday morning around 5:30 a.m.
Despite the severe weather, many Montreal bus routes continued operating normally, according to local transit authorities.
Air travel also faced disruption as icy conditions forced several flight cancellations at Montreal’s international airport.
Officials urged travellers to check airline updates before heading to the airport.
Authorities Monitor Dangerous Conditions
Meteorologists warned that the worst part of the storm could arrive overnight.
A band of freezing rain began moving across southwestern Quebec before heading east. Meteorologist Giselle Dhookie explained that the combination of heavy ice and dropping temperatures could create further problems.
“But it’s really the end of the weather event,” overnight, “that will create problems,” she added.
Dhookie said the buildup of ice could cause trees to break and fall onto power lines, increasing the risk of outages as temperatures fall later in the night.
Provincial leaders confirmed that they were closely monitoring the situation. Emergency crews and power utility teams prepared to respond to outages and storm damage.
“Hydro-Quebec crews are ready for tonight and overnight,” Premier François Legault said on social media earlier in the day.
Road Safety Concerns
Transportation officials also warned drivers about dangerous road conditions.
Ice and freezing rain created slippery surfaces on several highways, especially in the Outaouais region. Visibility also changed throughout the province as rain, snow, and freezing rain moved across different areas.
Road safety teams remained on high alert and monitored weather data from hundreds of stations across Quebec. These stations track air temperature, road temperature, precipitation, and other conditions.
Officials said crews would apply salt and sand where needed and could close roads if conditions become unsafe.
Drivers received advice to check road conditions online before travelling and avoid unnecessary trips.
Community Support During the Storm
Local organizations also prepared to support vulnerable residents.
Shelters in Montreal announced plans to maintain full capacity to assist people experiencing homelessness during the freezing conditions.
“We have a really dedicated team and several staff members volunteered on the day shift to stay tonight,” said coordinator Alix Chevalier.
Weather conditions “aren’t easy outside, but we’re really trying to reassure them (the users) and bring them inside,” she added.
As the storm continues to move across Quebec, officials urge residents to remain cautious and stay updated on weather alerts.
