Major Power Disruption Strikes Côte-St-Luc During Extreme Arctic Cold
As Montreal residents faced one of the most severe arctic cold snaps in recent memory, a substantial power outage left approximately 15,000 homes in the Côte-St-Luc area without electricity on Saturday morning, January 24, 2026. The disruption began shortly after 10:30 a.m., according to real-time data from Hydro-Québec's official outage map, which confirmed the widespread impact across the community.
Utility Cites Equipment Failure as Cause
Hydro-Québec has attributed the outage to equipment failure, though specific details about the malfunctioning components have not yet been disclosed. As of 11:30 a.m., the utility's website indicated that no repair crew had been assigned to address the issue, leaving affected residents in uncertainty during dangerously cold conditions.
Historic Cold Snap Creates Hazardous Conditions
The power failure occurred amid exceptionally frigid temperatures that have gripped Quebec and Ontario. Morning temperatures in Montreal plummeted to around minus 25 degrees Celsius, with wind chill factors making it feel significantly colder. Meteorologists from MétéoMédia have identified Quebec as potentially the coldest region on Earth this weekend, with conditions rivaling Antarctic winter temperatures despite it being summer in the southern hemisphere.
Environment Canada has issued frostbite warnings due to the extreme cold, emphasizing the particular danger posed by power outages during such conditions when heating systems become inoperable. Forecasters note that temperatures in the province could feel colder than those recorded in parts of Antarctica, where average inland temperatures currently hover around minus 30 degrees Celsius.
Community Impact and Response
The timing of the outage presents significant challenges for Côte-St-Luc residents, many of whom rely on electrical heating systems to withstand the arctic conditions. The prolonged nature of the disruption—with no immediate repair timeline established—raises concerns about vulnerable populations including seniors and those with medical equipment requiring power.
Hydro-Québec has been contacted for comment regarding restoration timelines and emergency response measures. The utility typically mobilizes crews during such emergencies, but the extreme weather conditions may complicate repair efforts and extend restoration times.
Broader Weather Context
This incident occurs as much of Quebec experiences unprecedented cold temperatures that have prompted multiple weather warnings across the province. The arctic air mass responsible for the extreme conditions is expected to persist through the weekend, potentially testing infrastructure resilience across the region.
This developing situation underscores the critical importance of reliable power infrastructure during extreme weather events, particularly in regions prone to severe winter conditions. Residents are advised to take precautions against the cold and monitor official updates from Hydro-Québec and Environment Canada.
