Potential for record-breaking cold in Quebec this winter

Saturday, March 21, 2015, 8:13 AM - Chilly temperatures will return to Quebec this Sunday -- and it could get cold enough to break records in places like Montreal, Sherbrooke, Québec and Saguenay.

Temperatures are expected to be between 10 and 15 degrees below seasonal in some places. Wind chills will be between -25 and -35 on Sunday morning, which is fairly unusual for this time of year.

In fact, Sunday is poised to be the coldest day of the month.

Special weather statements are in effect for parts of the province ahead of the system.

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"A sharp cold front will cross southern and central Quebec late Saturday afternoon or early evening," Environment Canada says in a statement.

"Snow is expected over several areas with amounts in the 5- to 10-centimetre range." That precipitation could change over to rain before the temperatures drop.

In Montreal temperatures are expected to drop by at least 20 degrees between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning.

As for eastern Quebec, the system impacting Atlantic Canada this weekend could bring more than 20 to 40 centimetres of snow to the region, beginning Saturday night into Monday morning. 

Winds surpassing 90 km/h and temperatures around minus 10 create the potential for blizzard-like conditions during this time.

Poor weather conditions could persist into Monday.

The sudden chill could make untreated surfaces slippery. Motorists are advised to exercise caution on roadways this weekend and Monday morning.