
Flash freeze, blustery winds expected after spring-like weather in Montreal
CBC
Shelve those shorts again, Montreal.
As quickly as record-breaking warm temperatures settled upon the city, a vigorous cold front is expected to sweep in Wednesday night, prompting a flash freeze and wind warning for the Montreal area and much of southern Quebec.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) says temperatures are expected to suddenly drop within just a few hours in the evening, causing water from rain or melted snow on streets and sidewalks to quickly freeze.
Montreal is expected to see rain for much of the day Wednesday and temperatures of 13 C. At night, temperatures will plummet to -13, with a wind chill of -24.
ECCC is warning roads can become very slippery and lead to difficult and dangerous travel conditions.
Violent westerly winds of up to 90 kilometres per hour are also expected Wednesday evening and heavy rain warnings are in effect for certain regions of Quebec.
Meteorologist Michèle Fleury says these sorts of fluctuations in temperature are very common when transitioning from winter to spring.
"We're seeing the air masses fight for power over the province," he said. "So throughout March, we can expect variations of temperature."
The weather warnings come a day after Montreal hit a record 14.9 degrees C on Tuesday. The previous record for Feb. 27 was set in 2000, when temperatures hit 10.9 C.