Montreal Schools Shuttered and Flights Grounded as Winter Storm Hits
A significant winter weather event has disrupted normal operations across the Montreal region, leading to school closures and travel complications. Several educational institutions in neighborhoods including N.D.G. and Côte-St-Luc were forced to close their doors on Monday following widespread power outages that left thousands of residents without electricity on Sunday.
Affected Schools and Educational Centers
The closures impacted a range of schools serving different age groups and communities. In N.D.G., the Mackay Centre and Philip E. Layton schools were closed. Meanwhile, in Côte-St-Luc, John Grant High School and Wagar Adult Education Centre also suspended operations. Additional closures included Centre académique Fournier and Vanguard schools in St-Laurent, as well as Ratihente high school and Rotiwennakehte elementary in Kanehsatà:ke, located off-island.
Travel Disruptions at Trudeau Airport
The adverse weather conditions extended to air travel, with Montreal's Trudeau International Airport experiencing significant disruptions. By Monday morning, more than 20 flights had been either cancelled or delayed. Authorities are advising travellers to check the official airport website at admtl.com for real-time updates before heading to the airport to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
Environment Canada's Snowfall Warning
Environment Canada has issued a yellow snowfall warning for the Montreal area, forecasting accumulation of up to 10 centimetres. This snowfall is expected to create hazardous driving conditions and complicate the afternoon rush hour. The agency specifically warned that snow falling in extreme cold temperatures will make surfaces particularly slippery, increasing the risk of accidents.
Similar snowfall warnings have been issued for a broad swath of southern Quebec, indicating widespread winter weather impacts across the province.
Extreme Cold Temperatures Persist
The weather system is bringing not only snow but also dangerously cold temperatures. Monday's expected high is minus-13 degrees Celsius, with an afternoon wind chill making it feel like minus-20. Overnight lows are forecast to drop to minus-18, with wind chill values approaching minus-25. This frigid pattern is expected to continue into Tuesday, though meteorological models suggest the return of sunshine by midweek.
The combination of power outages, school closures, flight cancellations, and hazardous weather conditions underscores the significant impact of this winter storm on Montreal's daily life and infrastructure.
