Bundle up! The coldest days of the year have arrived in Quebec

The heart of winter in Quebec is the coldest time of the year. It begins on Jan. 6 and ends around Valentine's Day—Feb. 14. On average, these are the coldest five weeks of the year.

Montreal, however, hasn't recorded a minimum temperature below -20°C since February 2023. This season so far, the coldest temperature recorded was -17.8°C on Dec. 26, 2024.

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Eastern Canada upper level pattern, cold air, trough - Jan. 10, 2025
Eastern Canada upper level pattern, cold air, trough - Jan. 10, 2025

Time to grit your teeth

You've probably noticed how unpleasant the cold is these days. The bitter cold is particularly hard to bear with the added presence of humidity and wind.

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The next two weeks are shaping up to be quite similar in terms of cold temperatures. In fact, the typical January warm spells we see don't seem likely this year.

Quebec coldest temperatures so far this season - Jan. 10, 2025
Quebec coldest temperatures so far this season - Jan. 10, 2025

It should be noted, however, that the eastern part of the province is currently experiencing some mild conditions. On Jan. 8, the thermometer read -11.2°C in Montreal and 3.9°C in Sept-Îles.

In any case, a return to near-seasonal normality is expected over the next few days in Quebec, but the bitter cold hasn't said its last word.

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Bitter cold returns in full force

Next week, the Arctic air mass is set to make a strong comeback. As the jet stream pushes well south of the border, Quebec will find itself engulfed in the cold, with below-normal temperatures dominating.

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With highs hovering around the -10°C mark and lows slightly lower, meteorologists are calling it a bitter cold.

Southern Quebec temperature overview next two weeks - Jan. 10, 2025
Southern Quebec temperature overview next two weeks - Jan. 10, 2025

The presence of clouds and humidity has prevented the temperature from dipping below -20°C in southern Quebec thus far, but according to the models, a deep cold is expected late next week.

Could this be the first -20°C for Montreal since February 2023? We'll have to wait and see.

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Staying safe in extreme cold

It is important for everyone enjoying the outdoors to know how to recognize when someone (including your pet) has been exposed to cold for too long, prevent cold-related emergencies, and be able to provide help when needed.

Below are some tips courtesy of the Canadian Red Cross:

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  • Cover your head and trunk by wearing a hat and layers of tightly woven fabrics such as wool or synthetics.

  • Cover up exposed areas such as your fingers, cheeks, ears, and nose.

  • If your clothes get wet when you are in the cold, change into dry clothes as soon as possible.

  • Drink plenty of warm fluids to help your body stay warm and hydrated, avoid caffeine and alcohol.

  • Eat high calorie food and drinks regularly as the body converts food to energy which heats the body.

  • Dress in layers so that you can adjust to changes as you heat up or cool off

  • Bring additional warm clothing when going out for extended periods or in case of emergency.

  • Don’t wear tight fitting clothing or footwear that may impair circulation.

  • Seek shelter from the wind if you are getting cold, even if it is only behind a tree, hill, embankment, or other landscape feature.

Hypothermia safety explainer Baron graphic
Hypothermia safety explainer Baron graphic

For more tips on cold-related emergencies, click here.

This article was translated from MétéoMédia, The Weather Network’s Quebec-based sister station.