Throughout Tuesday, numerous households in Quebec experienced power outages due to heavy snowfall overnight, resulting in up to 35 centimeters of snow accumulation in certain regions.
Hydro-Québec reported that the weight of the snow, combined with wet leaves, led to tree branches breaking and coming into contact with the electrical grid. The utility company has mobilized teams to expedite power restoration efforts.
Several school boards, including those in Central Quebec, Montreal, and the South Shore, announced closures for the day. Additionally, specific schools under various boards, such as the Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board, Riverside School Board, and the Centre de services scolaire de Laval, had to suspend operations due to power disruptions.
The Lanaudière and Montérégie regions were the most heavily impacted by the power outages.
The combination of heavy, wet snow and strong winds led to school closures and hazardous road conditions. Environment and Climate Change Canada noted that the weather system intensified more rapidly than anticipated.
By 5 p.m., over 195,000 Hydro-Québec customers were still without electricity.
The most significant snowfall was recorded in Quebec City and Côte-Nord. Montreal experienced approximately 20 centimeters of snow covering the downtown area, as reported by Environment Canada.
Meteorologist Maxime Desharnais explained that the unexpected volume of snow in southern Quebec was due to higher moisture levels in the atmosphere than initially projected.