Quebec has experienced significant snowfall, with over 40 cm accumulated recently. This article highlights 11 historical snowstorms that have shaped the province’s winter legacy, starting with the remarkable 1827 storm in Montreal that dumped six feet of snow. It reviews major events from 1900 to 2017, including the record-breaking snowfall of 131.6 cm in 1939, the devastating 1998 ice storm, and the impactful storms of the 21st century, illustrating the province’s enduring battle with winter weather.
Quebec’s Snowstorm Chronicles: A Historical Overview
Since Sunday morning, certain areas of Quebec have witnessed over 40 cm of snow accumulation. This recent storm marks the second significant weather event to impact the province in just a few days, as it continues to move along its path. Let’s take a moment to reflect on 11 remarkable winter storms that have left a lasting impression on Quebec’s history.
Remarkable Snowstorms Through the Ages
1. “Six Feet of Snow” in Montreal
The most notable snowstorm documented occurred on January 17 and 18, 1827, when Montreal was blanketed by an astonishing six feet of snow (nearly two meters) in just 48 hours. Some areas experienced snowdrifts reaching heights of 12 to 15 feet.
2. The Winter of the Great Snow, 1828-1829
Dubbed “the winter of the great snow,” the winter of 1828-1829 began with snowfall in early November that persisted until spring. “Never had so much snow been seen! Such abundance forced lumberjacks in the forest to extreme fatigue,” noted historian Jean Provencher. In urban areas, shipyard workers found themselves dedicating more time to snow removal than their actual jobs.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT BETWEEN 1900 AND 1950
A search through historical data reveals that between 1900 and 1950, Montreal and Quebec experienced some of the most significant storms. On average, one to five major snowstorms (exceeding 30 cm) hit every decade. The largest single-day snowfall recorded in Quebec was on January 25, 1928, with a staggering 55.9 cm. However, when considering total accumulations over multiple days, February 14 to 24, 1939, holds the record with 131.6 cm of snow. In Montreal, December 16, 1924, saw the largest single-day accumulation at 40.6 cm.
3. 1903 – Quebec: 67 cm in Four Days
In February 1903, the city of Quebec was hit with 35.6 cm of snow on February 4, followed by an additional 31.5 cm that week, totaling 67 cm.
4. 1908 – Montreal: 84.3 cm in Two Days
Montreal experienced heavy snowfall on February 1 and 2, accumulating 47.5 cm, and then another 36.8 cm just four days later on February 6, resulting in a total of 84.3 cm.
5. 1937 – Montreal: 77.9 cm in Five Days
A significant storm on March 16, 1937, dropped 31.5 cm of snow, but the real impact was from the continuous snowfall from March 15 to 20, totaling 77.9 cm.
6. 1939 – Quebec: 131.6 cm in 10 Days
From February 14 to 24, 1939, Quebec experienced relentless snowfall, accumulating a staggering 131.6 cm over ten days.
AND THE MOST RECENT
7. “The Storm of the Century”
March 3 and 4, 1971, saw Quebec and parts of the Atlantic provinces receive approximately 43 cm of snow within 24 hours. In the Laurentians, the total was nearly double, with winds reaching 110 km/h complicating travel conditions.
8. The Great Ice Storm
From January 4 to 9, 1998, Montreal and the Montérégie area faced a severe ice storm that lasted for 80 hours, leaving four million residents without power. The damage included 1,000 electrical transmission pylons and around 30,000 broken poles, costing an estimated $3 billion to repair.
9. The Valentine’s Day Storm
On February 14, 2007, a powerful storm impacted southern Quebec, particularly Sherbrooke, where it left behind 55 cm of snow, while Ontario experienced up to 70 cm.
10. Cities Experience It
March 6 and 7, 2011, brought heavy snowfall of 50 to 70 cm to the Eastern Townships and Beauce. Sherbrooke set new records with 73 cm, while the city of Quebec recorded a total accumulation of 72 cm over four days.
11. The “New Storm of the Century”
On March 15, 2017, a storm swept across the eastern part of the continent, dumping 40 to 80 cm of snow from Ontario to the Maritimes. With winds reaching 120 km/h, it was labeled the “new storm of the century,” causing significant disruptions, including a massive traffic jam involving 300 vehicles on Highway 13 in Montreal.