Will Ground Snow Disappear Quickly?

Bassyonni

ago 3 hours

Quebec recently experienced its first significant snowfall of the season. As of November 11, 2025, many regions are covered in a layer of snow. However, the question remains: Will ground snow disappear quickly?

Current Snow Coverage in Quebec

Maps from Tuesday indicated substantial snowfall amounts throughout the province:

Montreal: over 20 cm
Drummondville to Trois-Rivières: 15 cm
Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean: more than 30 cm
Laurentides: 10 to 15 cm
Outaouais and Abitibi: 10 to 15 cm
Quebec City, Sherbrooke, and Sept-Îles: thin coverage

Rain following the snowfall has caused thinner snow covers in some areas. The Bas-Saint-Laurent and Gaspésie regions remain without significant snow accumulation.

Regional Predictions for Snow Longevity

The duration of the snow cover varies significantly by region:

Extreme South (Estrie and Montérégie): Snow depth is only 3 to 5 cm, potentially lasting 4 to 7 days.
Near the St. Lawrence River (including Montreal): Snow depth of 10 to 20 cm may last 7 to 14 days.
North of the River (Mauricie, Laurentides, Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean): More durable coverage, likely lasting more than 15 days, possibly until spring.

Factors Affecting Snow Melt Rates

Warmer temperatures in the extreme south will likely accelerate melting. Areas near the U.S. border will experience milder weather, which may impact the existing snow layer. In contrast, the combination of deeper snow and temperatures around 0 °C around the St. Lawrence will help maintain snow for a longer period.

Impending Weather System

A weather system is expected this weekend, which could significantly influence snow conditions. Depending on its temperature and trajectory:

A warmer scenario could bring rain, accelerating snow melt in southern regions.
A colder scenario could reinforce snow coverage, either through freezing rain or new snow accumulation.

Minor temperature changes can lead to substantial differences in snow conditions across Quebec.