The Greater Montreal region is facing a potential extended period of freezing rain on Monday, posing risks for much of southern Quebec. Anticipated freezing rain, potentially accompanied by ice pellets, is forecasted to start overnight Sunday and persist until the end of Monday, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
ECCC issued a warning on Friday, attributing this freezing rain and ice pellet event to the passage of a vigorous low-pressure system through the Great Lakes area. The agency escalated the alert to an orange level on Saturday, projecting ice accretion of five to 15 millimetres.
In the new alert system by ECCC, an orange code signifies that severe weather is expected to result in significant damage or disruptions, with major and widespread impacts that might endure for a few days. Orange alerts are infrequent, as outlined by the weather agency.
Apart from the Greater Montreal area, regions at risk include Outaouais, Laurentides, Lanaudière, Montérégie, and the Eastern Townships. Residents are strongly advised by ECCC to reconsider non-essential travel during this period due to the potential dangerous road conditions caused by ice buildup. The ice accretion could also cause tree branches to break, leading to likely prolonged power outages.