Quebec snowstorm leaves over 148 000 homes without power, Canada

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noaa goes-east 1600 utc november 27 2023

Image credit: NOAA/GOES-East, RAMMB/CIRA, The Watchers. Acquired at 16:00 UTC on November 27, 2023

A severe snowstorm hit Quebec, Canada on November 27, 2023, resulting in widespread power outages that affected nearly 150 000 Hydro-Québec customers.

The significant snowfall in Quebec on Monday morning led to numerous power outages throughout the province, leaving over 148 000 Hydro-Québec customers in the dark.

The situation was particularly severe in the Quebec City region and the Eastern Townships, with more than 62 000 and almost 38 000 customers, respectively, affected by the blackouts. In Chaudière-Appalaches, close to 9 900 customers were without power; in Mauricie, the number exceeded 5 600; and in the Centre-du-Québec region, more than 6 600 experienced outages.

Francis Labbé, a spokesperson for Hydro-Québec’s public affairs department, attributed the extensive blackouts to the heaviest snowfall in these regions. The accumulation of snow on vegetation led to the breaking of tree branches, which subsequently fell on power lines, exacerbating the power outage situation.

As the weather system moved eastward in the afternoon, there was a noticeable improvement. Hydro-Québec, through its communications on the X social media platform, reported a decrease in the number of outages, falling below 80 000. By 16:00 LT, the number had further reduced to less than 60 000. The company emphasized the ongoing efforts of their teams in the Quebec City, Eastern Townships, and Chaudière-Appalaches areas.

Hydro-Québec expressed hope in restoring power to the majority of affected customers by the evening. However, they cautioned that more complex cases might extend into Tuesday, November 28.

The weather system also knocked out power to more than 20 000 customers in Nova Scotia on Monday.

Tuesday, however, will be Newfoundland’s turn for the active weather, according to The Weather Network meteorologists.

References:

1 Snow storm knocks out power to 148,000 Hydro-Quebec customers – The Canadian Press – November 27, 2023

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