There are a few key signs that signal that spring is on its way in Quebec — snow starts melting, families hit up the closest Cabane à sucre, and drivers start swapping out their winter tires.
But while Quebec’s mandatory winter tire law runs from December 1 to March 15, that doesn’t mean you should rush to make the switch.
In an interview with MTL Blog, Environment and Climate Change Canada meteorologist Gina Ressler confirmed that winter conditions could be sticking around in southern Quebec for the next few weeks.
“This winter, we’re coming out of February and coming into March with quite a bit of snow on the ground,” Ressler told MTL Blog. “So there’s a lot of snow that’s going to melt and maybe create some slushy conditions, maybe some icy conditions as we see the temperatures continue to oscillate.”
And although March 15 marks the legal end of the winter tire mandate, Ressler warns that wintry weather can linger well into April. “Even last year, at the beginning of April, we saw a snowfall of 26 cm in Montreal,” she noted. “Montreal receives about 15 centimeters of snow [on average] in the month of April.”
While it’s impossible to predict exactly what’s in store for us this year, Ressler says drivers should stay prepared for unpredictable conditions. “We could still see some wintry weather in the beginning of April. Right now, it’s too far out for us to make any predictions on if we’re actually going to see a snowstorm or just colder temperatures.”
For those who want to minimize the risk of sliding around streets, waiting an extra few weeks before making the switch to summer tires might be a good call.
“If you want to play it safe, I would say April 15 might be a more appropriate date,” Ressler advised.
That’s not being overly-cautious either. Long-range forecasts from Farmers’ Almanac and MétéoMédia both predict a late arrival for warmer weather in the southern part of the province, with lingering winter conditions, plenty of rain, and even some snow in the mix.
So, while you might be eager to embrace spring, it might be worth keeping those winter wheels (and a shovel) handy — just in case Mother Nature has a few more surprises in store.
