Two weeks ago,we were sliding on solidified ice that briefly turned Montreal into a giant skating rink (not the fun kind). On New Year’s Eve 2026, we gritted our teeth and walked to the bar in a blizzard.
This week, the mercury has soared, gaining almost 20 degrees Celsius in the space of 48 hours.Montreal’s streets are soggy, but at least they’re not slippery – for now.
Instability, thaw and rain
As of yesterday, Wednesday, January 7, 2026, the mercury has risen very, very high, reaching zero degrees celsius by evening. The patches of ice that sporadically appear on the sidewalks will disappear. That alone is a good thing.
But, of course, such a drastic change in temperature (in three days, we’ll have gained 20 degrees) will bring strong, gusty winds, humidity and rain.
Storm
From January 8 to 10, 2026, the weather will be very unstable, between snow and rain, with lots of wind.
For the next 48 hours (January 9 and 10, 2026), Environment Canada has issued a yellow alert for the possibility of freezing rain. The alert speaks of a few hours of freezing rain that will make the roads slippery on Friday and Saturday.
Freezing rain is rain that remains liquid below the freezing point (zero degrees Celsius) due to the meeting of a mild, moist air mass and a cold snap. When this rain comes into contact with an object, it turns to ice. The result is the agonizing ice storm.
The next 48 hours
Over the next 48 hours, almost 10mm of rain is forecast, with wind gusts reaching 66 km/h overnight.
On January 9, 2026, almost 10mm of rain is forecast (in one day), and winds will intensify throughout the day to reach violent 66km/h. The temperature will be between 4 and 6 degrees Celsius.
On January 10, 2026, the weather will be a little less violent, very windy but sunny. We may even make it through the storm without any problems?
Good luck!