Major storm system moving into Quebec
A massive storm system that is already causing travel chaos across parts of Canada and the U. S. moved into Quebec Thursday night, and is expected to bring a messy mix of heavy snow, pouring rain, freezing rain and powerful winds into the holiday weekend.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued watches and warnings that stretch from Ontario all the way out toward Atlantic Canada.
Winter storm warnings are in effect north of the St. Lawrence for heavy snow and powerful winds. The region could see 20 to 40 centimetres of snow Thursday evening through Friday evening. With accumulation expected into the weekend some areas could see nearly 60 cm before the storm exits the region.
Strong winds, with gusts between 70 and 80 km/h will cause blowing snow and near zero visibility, making travel difficult.
Environment Canada Meteorologist Jean-Philippe Bégin said Quebecers should prepare for the possibility of blackouts "for prolonged periods."
"Is it 10 per cent of the population? Is it more? Ultimately, everyone must be prepared for this possibility because Quebec will be hit with high winds everywhere," he said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "So, if we have outages, it could take longer to restore power."
Bégin said the strongest winds are expected east of Quebec City. Quebecers are being urged to keep emergency kits handy and keep electronic devices charged.
The Montreal area is now under a snowfall warning with accumulations Thursday evening through Friday possibly exceeding 15 cm. The wet snow could cause tree branches to come down, and power outages are possible.
Snow will change to rain early Friday morning as temperatures soar.
But rain will change back to snow Friday afternoon as temperatures plummet. There could be isolated pockets of freezing rain during the rain to snow transition.
The rapid temperature drop on Friday will cause very slick conditions and Montreal could see another five to 10 cm of accumulation Friday night.
Strong winds and blowing snow will continue through the Christmas weekend.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in
Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line.
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.’s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over potential power loss
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place
The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place.
U.S. court tosses hostile workplace, pay discrimination claims against BlackBerry
A U.S. court has closed the door on "hostile work environment" and wage discrimination claims made by a former BlackBerry Ltd. executive who accused the company's CEO of sexually harassing her and then retaliating against her when she reported the behaviour.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
Toronto
-
Trudeau announces funding to feed 160,000 Ontario students
An additional 160,000 students in Ontario will get access to free meals, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced at a Brampton, Ont. school Friday.
-
3 charged in connection with collision between TTC bus and stolen BMW that injured 9
Three people are facing charges in connection with a carjacking of a stolen BMW that collided with a TTC bus in North York early Monday morning.
-
Toronto man onboard Blue Origin flight to space says he 'can't wait to go again'
Henry Wolfond returned to Earth Friday morning after a quick trip to the edge of space. The Toronto finance executive was part of a six-person crew onboard the New Shepard, a reuseable rocket designed for space tourism by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.
Ottawa
-
Seniors facing 60% hike for OC Transpo monthly transit pass in 2025 under new proposal
Ottawa seniors will be facing a 60 per cent hike in transit fares in 2025, instead of a 120 per cent increase, under a new plan to halve a proposed hike in fares for riders over the age of 65.
-
Ottawa Food Bank declares an emergency amid record-breaking usage
The Ottawa Food Bank is calling the record-breaking visits to its food programs "a declaration of emergency," with children and youth and newcomers accounting for more than a quarter of visits last year.
-
Orleans man calls for changes after service guide dog attacked by another dog
An Orléans man who uses a service guide dog wants to see changes to rules surrounding dog attacks, after his guide dog was attacked by another dog last month.
Atlantic
-
P.E.I. teen sentenced to 2 years in custody in death of Tyson MacDonald
A teen who pleaded guilty in the death of 17-year-old Tyson MacDonald on Prince Edward Island last year has been sentenced to two years in custody.
-
Taylor Swift Fan brings souvenir home to Nova Scotia from the Eras tour
Annie Gallant, a 10-year-old from Nova Scotia, brought home a special gift from her first concert.
-
New Brunswick government re-evaluates construction of $66-million jail in Grand Lake
The New Brunswick Liberal government says construction of a new $66-million jail in Grand Lake is under review, and could possibly be cancelled.
N.L.
-
As N.L. firm pivots, scientists say Canada's green hydrogen dreams are far-fetched
A Newfoundland energy company's embrace of data centres is raising doubts about eastern Canadian hopes of harnessing the region's howling winds to supply Germany with power from green hydrogen.
-
Canadian leads group pushing Vatican for zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy
An international group led by a Canadian is in Rome this week to push the Catholic Church to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on abuse by clergy.
-
Newfoundland wind-to-hydrogen company eyes data centre as international market lags
A company hoping to build a multi-billion-dollar wind-to-hydrogen project in western Newfoundland is eyeing other options as Canada's plans to supply Europe with green energy have not yet materialized.
Northern Ontario
-
Senior killed in dog attack in northern Ont.
An 81-year-old was killed in a dog attack this week in Bonfield, Ont. Police believe three dogs were involved.
-
Woman stabbed multiple times in Sudbury altercation
A 30-year-old woman is in hospital in Sudbury after she was stabbed multiple times early Friday morning in Chelmsford.
-
Police investigating death in Magnetawan, Ont.
The Almaguin Highlands detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police is investigating a sudden death in Magnetawan.
London
-
Victim forced into a vehicle, assaulted, robbed, and held against their will: police
Investigation revealed that an argument between a group of people – who were known to each other – escalated, resulting in the victim bring driven away in the vehicle against their will.
-
VIDEO
VIDEO London house fire spreads to neighbouring property
London fire crews and police are on scene of a house fire in east London. Crews were called to the 1800 block of Culver Drive, east of Third Street and south of Oxford Street, around 11:30 a.m.
-
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Kitchener
-
Man charged in Kitchener crash involving Grand River Transit LRT
Charges were laid after a crash between an LRT train and a Dodge vehicle shut down a busy Kitchener street for more than eight hours on Thursday.
-
FunGuyz says it's closing all 30 of its magic mushroom stores in Ontario
FunGuyz, which calls itself the biggest magic mushroom dispensary in Canada, says it's shutting down all 30 of its Ontario locations.
-
The Boathouse reopens in Kitchener's Victoria Park
A reopening ceremony was held in Kitchener’s Victoria Park Friday morning at 11 a.m. at The Boathouse, a restaurant and live music venue.
Windsor
-
Truck fire on the Ambassador Bridge
Windsor fire responded to a transport truck fire on Friday afternoon on the Ambassador Bridge.
-
4 Windsor, Chatham-Kent councillors oppose use of notwithstanding clause on encampments
Four councillors from Windsor and Chatham-Kent are among 72 municipal leaders opposing a letter from 15 Ontario mayors that supports Premier Doug Ford's push to use the notwithstanding clause to clear homeless encampments.
-
Concerns over people attempting to cross Detroit River illegally
Windsor Port Authority’s harbour master is raising concern about the number of people attempting to cross the Detroit River illegally following the most recent U.S. presidential election.
Barrie
-
Highway 400 closed in Muskoka Lakes after fatal propane truck rollover
Emergency crews were called to Highway 400 in Georgian Bay Township Friday morning after a fatal tanker truck rollover.
-
Drug trafficking investigation results in largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County: OPP
Two people are facing drug trafficking charges after what provincial police are calling the largest fentanyl seizure in Simcoe County.
-
Barrie magic mushroom dispensary closed after company announces its shuttering Ont. locations
The doors are locked and the OPEN sign is off on Friday at an illegal magic mushroom dispensary in downtown Barrie one day after FunGuyz announced it would shutter its 30 Ontario locations.
Vancouver
-
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.’s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
-
Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place
The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place.
-
Michael Buble to host 2025 Juno Awards, Sum 41 to be inducted into Music Hall of Fame
Pop crooner Michael Buble is set to host the Juno Awards for the third time next year.
Vancouver Island
-
Campbell River high school closure extended due to fire
Carihi Secondary school in Campbell River is closed due to a fire on the property overnight – drawing a firefighting response from multiple departments and a crowd of onlookers.
-
Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place
The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place.
-
Ship strikes kill thousands of whales. A study of hot spots could map out solutions
A study of hot spots for collisions between ships and whales around the world, including Canadian waters, offers a map for measures to prevent the deadly strikes that could drive some species to extinction, one of the British Columbia-based authors says.
Winnipeg
-
Semi crash, train derailment closes Winnipeg roads
Winnipeg police are responding to a train derailment and semi collision that has closed the Perimeter Highway and a section of Fermor Avenue Friday afternoon.
-
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
-
Officer shoots, kills armed teen on northern Manitoba First Nation: RCMP
A police officer fatally shot an armed teenager on a First Nation north of Lake Winnipeg, RCMP said Friday.
Calgary
-
'Sounded like a bomb': Mahogany residents stunned by townhouse explosion, fire
Investigators are working to piece together what caused an explosion and fire at a six-plex in the southeast Calgary community of Mahogany.
-
Sixth person charged in Tara Miller's death
Alberta RCMP have charged a sixth person in connection with the death of Calgarian Tara Miller.
-
‘Pinch me I’m dreaming:’ Calgary drummer pulled from crowd to play with the Arkells
For young musicians, to be up on stage in front of thousands of people, would be a dream come true. That’s exactly what happened to a Calgary girl, after being invited to play with Canadian rock icons The Arkells.
Edmonton
-
Edmonton carbon budget shows city falling behind on emission targets
Edmonton's carbon budget shows the city is at risk of not reducing emissions enough to hit its 2050 carbon-neutral goal.
-
Edmonton activates extreme weather response as temperatures drop
The City of Edmonton is activating its extreme weather response as temperatures take a big plunge in the coming days.
-
Direct flights to Houston available in Edmonton starting next year
Edmonton International Airport (YEG) has announced more direct flights to the United States starting next spring.
Regina
-
Here's a look inside the Globe Theatre before it reopens
The format is the same, but the venue looks very different from the last time audiences were inside Regina's Globe Theatre after extensive renovations.
-
B.C. man dies in collision on Sask. highway
A man from British Columbia has died in a two-vehicle collision on Highway 6 near Milestone, Sask.
-
Snowfall warning expands to Regina with up to 25 cm expected
Much of southwest Saskatchewan, including Regina, is under a snowfall warning on Friday, with total amounts of 10 to 25 centimetres expected.
Saskatoon
-
Why isn't Saskatoon's new downtown shelter open yet?
Saskatoon's new downtown shelter must undergo renovations before it can open, according to the operator of the site.
-
Sask. principal has sexual assault conviction overturned in light of 'butt-grabbing game'
A Saskatchewan principal sentenced to six months behind bars for sexual assault has another chance to prove he’s the victim of a middle-school prank that escalated out of control.
-
'What about our spirituality?': Sask. man wants new Lighthouse operator to respect Indigenous culture
A Saskatoon man is concerned about an Alberta non-profit coming into the city to open a new shelter and run the Lighthouse.
