Ice pellets herald end-of-year snowstorm in greater Montreal region

Environment Canada issueda snowfall warning Monday for Montreal, Lavaland theMontergie, and the agency ispredicting some difficult driving conditions in southern Quebec for the rest of the year.

In Montreal, ice pellets mixed with five to 10 centimetres of freezing rain Mondaymake way for snow overnight and into Tuesday.

By Tuesday evening, 15 to 20centimetres of snow will have fallen.

"You'll definitely need a shovel tonight as well as tomorrow, and make sure you have your brushes for vehicles," said Catherine Verdon-Diamond, CBC Montreal's new weather specialist.

"If you don't have to get outside, maybe just stay home," said Simon Legault, meteorologist forEnvironment Canada.

"If you have to get outside, just take your time, and be aware that it's pretty messy."

Strong easterly winds will mean reduced visibility and blowing snow. Provincial police are asking drivers to be careful on the icy roads, and asking people to adapt their driving to road conditions.

Many flights in and out of Montreal'sPierre Elliott Trudeau Airport were delayed orcancelled, said a spokesperson for Aeroports de Montral, advising travellers to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.

The multi-use path on the new Samuel-De Champlain Bridge wasclosed to pedestrians and cyclists as of noon Monday for safety reasons, due to the adverse weather conditions. It's expected to reopen on Jan. 1.

Elsewhere in Quebec, there are snowfall warnings in effect for:

• Beauce,
• Drummondville,
• Eastern Townships,
• Lachute,
• Lanaudire,
• Laurentians,
• Quebec City,
• Saint-Hyacinthe.