Montreal Weather Alert: Freezing Rain Risk on Tuesday Morning
Residents of Montreal are advised to exercise caution as a risk of freezing rain is forecast for Tuesday morning. This unseasonable weather event comes amid a February that has been feeling more like March, with temperatures climbing toward a high of 5°C.
Detailed Forecast for Tuesday
Freezing rain is expected to pose hazards during the morning hours, potentially creating slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks. As the day progresses, the precipitation will transition to rain or drizzle, continuing throughout the afternoon and evening.
The cloud cover is predicted to persist until late evening, with clearing skies not arriving until nighttime. Overnight temperatures will drop significantly to a low of minus-7°C, with wind chill values making it feel like minus-10°C.
Historical Context for February Weather
According to Environment Canada data, the average temperature for February 17th in Montreal is typically minus-4.1°C. This year's forecast of 5°C represents a substantial departure from normal seasonal patterns.
Historical temperature records reveal interesting extremes for this date:
- The highest recorded temperature occurred in 2011 when temperatures reached 6.8°C
- The record lows were set in both 1973 and 1997 when temperatures plunged to minus-28.3°C
This year's weather continues a pattern of February days that feel more characteristic of early spring than mid-winter, with many residents noting the month seems to be passing unusually quickly given the mild conditions.
Weather officials recommend that Montreal residents prepare for changing conditions throughout Tuesday, particularly during the morning commute when freezing rain could create hazardous travel conditions. As always during transitional weather periods, it's advisable to monitor updated forecasts and adjust plans accordingly.
