Quebec braces for cold snap as Arctic air mass takes hold
Energy consumption levels to reach near-record levels: Hydro-Québec
After a stretch of mild winter temperatures, Quebec is set to experience extreme cold in the next three days.
"An Arctic air mass with light to moderate winds has moved over Western Quebec today and will spread eastward over the [next] few days," Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said in a warning issued Sunday.
Maximum temperatures in the Ville-Marie area are expected to stay below –20 C, while overnight temperatures will stay below –30 C until Wednesday, according to the federal agency.
It says wind chill values could make the temperature feel as low as –37 C.
The ECCC issues extreme cold warnings when there is an increased health risk for frostbite and hypothermia.
Young children, older adults, people with chronic illnesses, people working or exercising outdoors, and those without proper shelter are especially vulnerable.
"Watch for cold related symptoms: shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness and colour change in fingers and toes," the warning says. "If it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold for your pet to stay outside."
Gina Ressler, a meteorologist with ECCC, said the cold snap will be the most intense the province has experienced in two years, following last year's abnormally warm winter.
"This kind of cold weather isn't abnormal," Ressler said.
"It's completely normal to have these cold snaps in January in Montreal. It's just going to feel like a shock because it's the coldest air so far this season."
It may also be shocking because last winter was so mild, she added.
"We really didn't have any cold snaps last winter," she said.
As the cold front sets in, Ressler urged Quebecers to check the weather forecast before heading outdoors. Staying indoors is ideal, she said. If going out, make sure to check the wind chill and dress appropriately, she advised, suggesting layers, including a wind-resistant outer layer.
A hat, she said, is key to keeping the body warm because so much heat is lost through the head.
Hydro-Québec says it's ready to meet demand
During the period of extreme cold, Hydro-Québec expects peak usage to hit near-record levels Tuesday and Wednesday.
The public utility recorded a historic peak of energy consumption two years ago, on Feb. 3, 2023. That day, with temperatures at a low of –26 C, Quebecers consumed 43,124 megawatts of energy.
Spokesperson Cendrix Bouchard said energy consumption is expected to peak at just over 42,000 megawatts this Wednesday. Bouchard said people tend to use more electricity after several days of extreme cold.
The utility is asking people to reduce power consumption between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. and between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. It says clients could even consider dropping the thermostat by a couple of degrees, particularly in unused rooms, pointing out that every little bit of energy savings will help Hydro-Québec keep up with winter demand.
"It'll give us more room to manoeuvre, but we have the necessary tools without people necessarily having to take these actions," said Bouchard.
With files from Isaac Olson and Radio-Canada