As the calendar flips to December, Montrealers are greeted with the official start of meteorological winter, marked by a week of gentle but firm reminders of the cold season ahead. The transition is set to be a mixed bag of clearing skies, falling temperatures, and precipitation that will test the city's readiness for the months to come.
A Week of Fluctuating Conditions
The first week of December is ushering in winter with a characteristically unpredictable Montreal flair. The week begins with skies clearing, but don't be fooled by the initial sun. Temperatures are starting near minus-3 degrees Celsius, but in an unusual twist, the mercury is expected to fall further throughout the day, dropping to around minus-7 C by the afternoon. The wind chill will make it feel closer to a biting minus-11 C.
Overnight, conditions will tighten their grip, with the temperature dipping another degree. Residents should expect a light snow to begin falling before morning, setting the stage for a week where snow, periods of snow, and flurries will be frequent visitors. A mid-week warm-up poses a unique challenge, however. A bump in the thermometer to 0 C on Wednesday threatens to introduce messy slush or, more dangerously, patches of ice on roads and sidewalks.
The Science Behind the Season's Start
While many associate the beginning of winter with the December solstice, weather professionals and enthusiasts mark December 1 as the start of meteorological winter. This period, which runs from December 1 to February 28, is used for consistency in record-keeping and climate statistics. It allows scientists to compare seasonal data across fixed, three-month blocks.
The more traditional, or romantic, measure is the astrological calendar, where winter officially begins with the solstice on December 21. This date aligns with the Earth's tilt and the shortest day of the year, heralding the gradual return of sunlight. Regardless of which marker one prefers, the message from the skies this week is clear: winter is settling into Montreal, and it's doing so with a classic blend of sun, snow, and the inevitable slush.
Montrealers are advised to prepare for the shifting conditions, ensuring winter tires are on and warm layers are ready for the fluctuating temperatures that define a Quebec winter's opening act.