Although the official beginning of summer remains over a month away,
The informal start of the season is here.
.
However, the upcoming long weekend isn’t expected to bring particularly enjoyable weather for Quebec residents, notably on Saturday. If you have outdoor activities planned for the weekend, make sure to also prepare some indoor alternatives since periods of heavy rain and thunderstorms are predicted.
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On Saturday, you should stay vigilant, particularly in southern Quebec, which includes Montreal, where severe thunderstorms may occur. Severe thunderstorm warnings are currently active for regions like Montreal and Quebec City. The primary concerns include large hailstones and powerful gusts of wind.
However, there is also a slight yet not negligible chance of experiencing a tornado.
Keep an eye on
local weather alerts
For your region before you head out, and be ready to modify any outside plans this weekend, particularly on Saturday.
The long weekend begins with a harsh storm and a potential tornado warning.
A significant low-pressure system will gradually make its way towards Quebec on Saturday.
The accumulation of heat and moisture
Over the last several days of temperatures exceeding 20 degrees Celsius
will contribute to increased instability aiding the onset of thunderstorms on Saturday.
The primary dangers include larger hailstones, intense rainfall, and powerful gusts of wind.
There is a slight yet definite chance of a tornado forming due to favorable atmospheric conditions conducive to supercell storms.
Supercells are intense thunderstorms characterized by rotation.
–the most perilous kind of storms that usually generate tornadoes when the atmosphere is just right.
Significant thunderstorm warnings are currently issued for sections of Quebec, particularly covering Montreal.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) cautions in the alert that “water-related pursuits may pose dangers because of abrupt and fierce wind bursts over lakes and rivers.” The warning also encompasses the potential for power disruptions caused by these strong storm-associated gales.
Intense thunderstorms are expected to advance towards the Montreal region during Saturday morning and will progress along the St. Lawrence River throughout the afternoon.
Although much of southern Quebec faces only a non-severe thunderstorm threat, areas starting from the Ottawa Valley in Ontario up to Quebec City, and continuing southwards towards the U.S. border, have an increased chance of experiencing severe storms until Saturday evening.
Very heavy rainfall totals are expected, increasing the threat of localized flooding. Some regions seeing up to 75 mm of rain through the long weekend.
Most of next week will be cool and unsettled.
Significantly colder than usual temperatures will prevail through next weekend and extending into the subsequent week. As we approach early June, the mercury is expected to return to average levels.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for additional details and updates about the weather throughout Quebec.
