Winter storm heads northeast after blanketing Montreal

After pummelling the Montreal region, a snowstorm is heading northeast with a renewed intensity that will likely hinder travel on New Year's Eve, Environment Canada warns.

The strongest of the system approached the Maritimes mid-afternoon Tuesday. Up to 20 centimetres of snow is expected in the Gaspé region and parts of New Brunswick.

The North Shore and the Magdalen Islands will also be affected by strong winds but should not receive quite as much snow.

"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow," the weather agency said in a statement.

Provincial police issued a tweet Tuesday morning, reminding drivers to be patient on the road.

"The presence of snow-clearing vehicles on the network will delay your trips," the Sûreté du Québec wrote. "But don't worry, 2020 will be waiting for you!"

Environment Canada also anticipates gusts of up to 70 km/h in the evening and overnight, which may reduce visibility near the Gaspé coast.

As of Tuesday evening, snowfall warnings cover:

• Amqui-Matapédia Valley.
• Anticosti.
• Gaspé. 
• New Carlisle-Chandler.
• Restigouche-Bonaventure.
• Sainte-Anne-des-Monts-Grande-Vallée.    
• Sept-Îles-Port-Cartier.
• Témiscouata.

There are blowing snow advisories in areas such as Cevery and Blanc-Sablon as well. Environment Canada warns that blowing snow can reduce visibility on the roads and make travel difficult.

Simon Legault, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Montreal didn't get as much snow as anticipated but by the end of New Year's Day there could be about 20 centimetres on the ground.

"We've had a little bit more freezing rain, so the mix of precipitation was more intense than we expected in Montreal," Legault said.

On the roads, Transports Quebec spokesperson Christian Fortin told CBC News that drivers should take precautions and be extra careful.

"We ask drivers to adapt their conduct and make sure to keep their distance," he said.