Our chances of white Christmas may have just increased. After an unusually warm start to December, the Montreal weather forecast shows the first significant snowfall of the season on the way this week.
Environment Canada has issued a series of rainfall warnings and special weather statements for much of southern Quebec ahead of an expected storm Wednesday that could bring heavy rain and high winds to some areas. It looks like Montreal weather won't be too pretty at the start of December.
Montrealers enjoying this week's short burst of warm temps could soon see their spirits dampened by a fall storm. Heavy rains and gusting winds are expected to hit Quebec on Thursday bringing up to 70 mm of precipitation and gales of between 60 and 90 km/h in the southern and central parts of the province. Leaves will be ripped from trees, clogging house and sidewalk gutters, which some weather outlets warn could cause flash floods. Power outages from falling branches are also possible.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for parts of southern Quebec, including Montreal, Laval, the Montérégie region, and parts of the Laurentides and Lanaudière regions. The federal weather agency forecasts 10 to 25 millimetres of rain in much of the province.
Areas to the north and west of Montreal are under a storm watch as Quebec weather forecasts warn of possible severe thunderstorms Sunday. According to Environment Canada, such storms could bring "nickel size" hail and 90 km/h winds gusts to Gatineau. Other parts of the Outaouais region, including Pontiac, and the Laurentians region, including Mont-Tremblant, are covered by the federal agency's storm watch.