April 1 is here, and for once, the weather might actually be in on the joke.
After a March that delivered an ice storm, multiple snowfalls, and temperatures that refused to budge, southern Quebec is finally in line for a proper taste of spring this week.
According to the latest from MétéoMédia, temperatures could hit 20°C in parts of the province by Friday — about two weeks earlier than average.
Montreal is expected to come close, with a high of 19°C forecast for Friday. Gatineau could hit 21°C, the Suroît region is also in line for 20°C, and even the Laurentians could see 13°C at Mont-Laurier. However, the warmth won’t make it past the Capitale-Nationale, meaning Bas-Saint-Laurent, Saguenay, Gaspésie, and the North Shore stay cold, with some areas staying below freezing Friday, with a difference of more than 20 degrees between the north and south of the province.
Montreal typically doesn’t see its first 20°C day until around April 17. Last year it came on April 19. In 2022, Montrealers waited all the way until May 9. So Friday is shaping up to be something worth stepping outside for.
That said, don’t get too comfortable. MétéoMédia is calling for a return to seasonal temperatures by Saturday, and the Old Farmer’s Almanac’s long-range outlook for April paints a mixed picture for the rest of the month.
For context, the Almanac builds its outlooks using historical weather patterns, solar activity, and atmospheric trends. Here’s how their forecast for southern Quebec looks this month:
The first week of April starts cool and breezy with dry skies in the south. Things turn stormy and wet around April 4 to 7, followed by a cold and windy stretch with possible snow squalls from April 8 to 11.
A chilly but fair window opens up from April 12 to 15, with a frost risk overnight. The best stretch in the whole forecast comes around April 16 to 19, when mild and rainy conditions finally bring something resembling classic spring weather.
After that, a rain and snow mix returns April 20 to 23, dry and gusty conditions move through April 24 to 27, and the month closes out with strong winds and rain from April 28 to 30.
So yes, Friday looks genuinely promising. Just maybe hold off on putting the winter coat away until at least next week.
