This morning, Montreal’s sidewalks are glistening with a light rain that is forecast as snow on the weather app on our phones. In the Old Port, the smooth cobblestones in front of Notre-Dame Basilica are already as slippery as an ice rink. In the streets, stores and cafés have already covered the space in front of their doors with coarse blue salt that crunches and crackles underfoot.
There is almost no one outside, few cars on the boulevards. Montreal is holding its breath because here there is nothing worse than a freezing rain storm. Many schools in Montreal and Greater Montreal are closed. For now, everything is fine.
Orange Warning
Environment Canada, the federal government agency that is our primary source of official information on the country’s weather, has issued an orange warning for the next few days.
Between 20 and 30 millimeters of freezing rain are expected in Montreal and the surrounding area over the next 24 hours—from Wednesday, March 11, to Thursday, March 12—and the weather alert is due to the consequences of this precipitation. The next few days will be cold, and the ice created by this rain will be slow to melt and free the city.
In addition to slippery sidewalks and roads, Environment Canada is forecasting possible “prolonged” power outages, so it is recommended that you do your shopping this morning if you haven’t already done so.
The warning also includes a recommendation to avoid non-essential travel—work from home if possible, postpone a road trip in the region until next week, make yourself a latte with instant Nescafé barefoot in the kitchen instead of taking a long walk to drink an $11 matcha.
Of course, the situation is evolving, and according to the most alarmist forecasts, Montreal should already be in chaos this morning. With a little luck and a lot of caution, the ice storm will pass without too much impact…
