It’ll be -24 in Montreal next week— Here’s how that compares to the city’s coldest days

It'll be -24 in Montreal next week— Here's how that compares to the city's coldest days

Wrap up, folks! Montreal is about to be hit with some of its coldest weather in years, although, fortunately, the temperatures are unlikely to reach record-breaking lows.

As the polar vortex makes its way into North America, Montreal is set to receive a significant drop in temperatures this weekend and early into next week. The latest weather forecasts predict a wave of intense cold sweeping across the entirety of Quebec.

According to The Weather Network’s latest projections, the coldest period will occur between Sunday, January 19, and Tuesday, January 21, with Monday being the chilliest.

Daytime highs are expected to reach -15 C, with overnight lows dropping all the way down to -24 C. Factor in 20 km/h wind gusts, and it’ll feel closer to a teeth-chattering -30 C. Tuesday won’t be any easier, with highs of -17 C and nighttime lows of -23 C.

With that said, you probably don’t need us to tell you to bundle up or, even better, stay inside if you can.

While Montreal is no stranger to brutal winters, the city hasn’t seen temperatures dip below -20 C since February 2023. Over the last five years, Montreal’s coldest weather has usually struck in late January, though the most extreme lows have often come later in the season.

So, how will the upcoming cold front compare to the city’s coldest days on record?

According to data collected by extremeweatherwatch.com, the coldest temperature recorded in Montreal occurred back on January 15, 1957, when the thermometer plummeted to a frigid -37.8 C.

Here’s a list of other brutally cold days — some of which our more seasoned readers may remember, and others you’re probably glad you weren’t around for.