Residents of Montreal who celebrated Christmas Day were treated to a classic holiday scene: a blanket of fresh snow on the ground this morning. The picturesque start, however, is set to be followed by a significant drop in temperature as a cold air mass settles over the city.
From Snow to Sun and Biting Cold
The snow that fell overnight is expected to taper off and give way to a mix of sun and cloud by late morning on Thursday, December 25. While the skies may clear, the mercury is taking a dive. The morning temperature sits at a brisk minus-7 degrees Celsius, but it will feel much colder as winds pick up, creating an afternoon wind chill that makes it feel like minus-17 C.
A Deep Freeze for the Holiday Weekend
The cold snap is just beginning. Forecasters predict the temperature will continue to fall overnight, reaching a low of minus-18 C. When combined with persistent winds, Montrealers will be facing a bone-chilling wind chill value of approximately minus-25 C. This overnight period is expected to be the coldest point of the upcoming weekend.
The deep freeze will linger into Friday, with a high of only minus-12 C. The silver lining for winter sports enthusiasts is that a bit more snow is in the forecast, which could be welcome news for those planning trips to local ski hills.
Looking Ahead to Saturday and Sunday
The weekend will remain firmly in the grip of winter. Saturday is forecast to see a slight moderation with a high of minus-9 C, but another sharp drop is expected on Sunday, bringing highs back down to around minus-19 C. Montrealers are advised to bundle up if they have any outdoor plans during the holiday break.
There is a possibility of more snowfall early next week, with a chance of additional flurries on Monday. For those dreaming of a sustained winter wonderland, that forecast offers a hopeful note to end the year.
The festive scene was highlighted earlier in the season when Montreal Alouettes player Geoffrey Cantin-Arku participated in the Welcome Hall Christmas gift distribution in November, embracing the spirit of the holidays by playing Santa and tossing toy footballs.
