Violent Thunderstorms Sweep Southern Quebec with Torrential Rain and Power Outages
This weekend has been marked by an intense bout of severe weather across southern Quebec, and the situation was nothing short of dramatic. Let me walk you through what unfolded and why so many are still talking about it.
It all started Saturday morning, when the first wave of thunderstorms swept through the region. Environment Canada had already flagged the possibility of significant instability in the atmosphere due to the humid, summer-like conditions lingering from earlier in the week. As the day progressed, their forecasts became a reality.
By the evening, a second, potentially more violent wave was expected to move in, with predictions of strong winds—up to 100 km/h—hail, and even the slight risk of tornado formation. Fortunately, according to meteorologist Maxime Desharnais, the storm system didn’t reach the full level of severity originally feared. However, this was cold comfort for many communities, especially in the Estrie region, which bore the brunt of the downpour.
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Sherbrooke, for instance, saw up to 70 millimetres of rainfall in just a few hours. In Lennoxville, it was about 50 mm. Even Montreal and Vaudreuil were not spared, receiving 20 to 30 mm of rain. Streets were flooded, visibility was reduced, and driving conditions became dangerous almost instantly.
One of the more startling developments was the number of homes left without power. By 10:30 p.m., over 8,400 homes were in the dark, with Hydro-Québec crews scrambling to restore electricity. The temperature, surprisingly cooler than expected, actually played a role in reducing the potential energy available for the storms, slightly muting their power—but not enough to prevent flooding and widespread disruption.
Meanwhile, in Beauce, the situation was particularly grim. A separate heavy rainfall event on Friday had already left parts of Saint-Côme-Linière severely damaged. Videos shared online showed rivers of water surging through the streets, and recovery efforts are already underway. The local mayor, along with provincial representatives, is coordinating with public safety authorities to begin rebuilding, which could take weeks.
Throughout the weekend, alerts were issued in quick succession: from Outaouais to Laurentides, from Pontiac to Gatineau, and as far east as the Capitale-Nationale and Charlevoix. Radar even showed signs of wind shear and potential rotation in the clouds, raising alarms for possible tornadic activity—particularly near Papineauville and south of Hemmingford. Grêle, or large hailstones, was also observed in regions like Coaticook.
As of now, the worst of the storms appear to have passed, but more rain is in the forecast through Sunday and Monday. The long weekend, expected to be a chance for relaxation, has turned into a washout for many. With up to 75 mm of rain projected in some areas before the system finally clears, it’s safe to say Quebec’s Patriotes weekend has been completely rained out.
The reminder is clear: when severe weather warnings are issued, it’s best to take them seriously. Many did—sheltering indoors, staying off the roads, and staying tuned for updates. But nature always has the last word, and this time, it spoke with thunder, lightning, and sheets of relentless rain.
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