Freezing Rain Storm: Ontario, Quebec & Atlantic Canada Brace for Disruptions & Outages

A significant freezing rain storm is forecast to impact southern Quebec beginning Wednesday morning, prompting warnings from Environment and Climate Change Canada and preparations from municipalities and utilities. The potential for widespread power outages, transportation disruptions, and property damage is high, with some areas bracing for up to 24 hours of icy conditions.

Environment Canada issued an orange alert – indicating a potentially critical freezing rain event – for regions including Greater Montreal, the Outaouais, and Quebec City. Officials are forecasting total freezing rain amounts of 20 to 30 millimetres. The agency’s warning, issued Tuesday, emphasizes the high impact level and forecast confidence.

Meteorologist Eric Tomlinson of Environment and Climate Change Canada explained that the freezing rain is expected to begin around 6 a.m. In the Montreal area and the Ottawa Valley, impacting the morning commute. He noted that even slight temperature variations could significantly alter the extent of ice accumulation. You can discover the latest updates and warnings directly from Environment Canada’s website.

Several school boards across Quebec have already announced closures for Wednesday, and Concordia University in Montreal has cancelled in-person classes. The affected areas include Greater Montreal, Montérégie, Outaouais, Lanaudière, Laurentians, Parc du Mont-Tremblant, Mauricie, Drummondville, and Quebec City.

Preparing for Prolonged Disruptions

The potential impacts extend beyond school closures. Environment Canada anticipates transportation delays and cancellations, prolonged utility outages, and potential damage to infrastructure due to the weight of the ice. The agency strongly advises against non-essential travel. Conditions will remain cold in subsequent days, which may complicate and delay the full return to normal services.

Hydro-Québec is mobilizing its crews in anticipation of widespread outages. Spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard stated that 550 crews, comprising 1,100 line workers, are prepared to respond, along with necessary equipment. The utility is focused on rapid repairs once the storm subsides.

City of Montreal officials are also taking proactive steps, including clearing storm drains to prevent flooding and preparing to deploy road-clearing crews. Warming shelters may be opened if needed, and employers are being encouraged to allow employees to work remotely where possible.

Alexandre Devaux-Guizani, head of the city’s executive committee, urged Montrealers to stay home if they can. Public transit agencies, including the STM and REM, are monitoring the situation and preparing for potential service disruptions. The REM is taking preventative measures, such as running trains overnight to prevent ice buildup on power lines and applying an anti-freeze product to cables.

Echoes of Past Storms

The approaching storm bears similarities to the major ice storm that impacted Quebec in April 2023, when over one million Hydro-Québec customers lost power. Tomlinson indicated that the current storm is comparable in “intensity and scope” to that event. You can read more about the 2023 ice storm here.

Environment and Climate Change Canada was formed in 1971 and is responsible for coordinating environmental policies and programs across the country. As of 2023-2024, the department employs 8,571 people and operates on an annual budget of $2.4 billion. Julie Dabrusin is the current Minister of Environment and Climate Change, with Mollie Johnson serving as the Deputy Minister. More information about the department can be found on its official website.