The year 2025 ends with a chaotic, icy reminder of January’s rather dramatic storm. With an ice storm that began yesterday morning across the Quebec region, the year 2026 is set to honour the violence of the elements in Canada.
The Farmers’ Almanac promised us a turbulent winter, and we’re apparently in the eye of the storm with this season’s characteristic rampage. After all, isn’t it through (weather) hardship that we’ll become the best version of ourselves in 2026?
Freezing rain began to fall on Montreal yesterday morning, December 29, 2025, and here’s everything we know about the last ice storm of the year…
Storm, ice, freezing rain
Pluie verglaçante (freezing rain) is like a dirty word in Quebec – or a mystical callback to the worst, most devastating storms of our childhood.
Freezing rain is rain that remains liquid below the freezing point (zero degrees Celsius) due to the meeting of a mass of mild, moist air and a blade of cold. When this rain comes into contact with an object, it turns to ice. The result is the agonizing ice storm.
Long-time Montrealers remember the storm of January 1998, when 100 mm of freezing rain fell on Montreal and the city was completely covered in a thick layer of ice. Power lines cracked and snapped under its weight, cars were immobilized, front doors sealed. To date, this has been one of the most devastating weather episodes to hit Quebec.
Don’t panic, it’s not expected this week!
Weather forecast
Yesterday, Monday December 29, 2026, Météo Média issued an orange weather alert for freezing rain. The freezing rain storm affecting Quebec over the next few days covers Greater Montreal, the Outaouais, the Laurentians, Lanaudière, Montérégie and the Eastern Townships.
The icy conditions will cause very slippery sidewalks and roadways – not the week to test out our new high-heeled boots on the streets of Montreal, or to go winter biking. Tree branches are likely to break and fall, so take care when walking, and park your car away from heavy, creaking branches.
5 to 15 millimetres of freezing rain fell in the region yesterday. Today, it’s colder – between -12 and -13 degrees celsius – and it’s going to be freezing. If you don’t have to take the glass, stay at home – please.
Up to 55cm of snow is also forecast, with strong winds and blowing snow reducing visibility on the road.
The biggest risk of this freezing rain storm is power outages – and we recommend preparing for outages by dusting off the generator and plugging in our portable battery so it’s ready to go.
In the car, restock the window washer and drive slowly – and only if you have to.
The candles we received for Christmas could soon be put to good use too…
Good luck, stay warm and dry and put on your crampons,