A significant cold front has led to violent thunderstorms in Quebec on May 5, 2026, causing widespread power outages and wind gusts reaching up to 100 km/h.
A vigorous cold front generated these thunderstorms across several regions. Severe thunderstorm alerts were issued in multiple areas, particularly affecting the Laurentians and Lanaudière regions north of Montreal.
Wind gusts at Sherbrooke airport reached an alarming speed of 100 km/h. At the peak of the outages around 4 PM, over 50,000 customers were without power.
Key statistics:
- Wind gusts: 100 km/h at Sherbrooke airport
- Power outages: Over 50,000 customers affected
- Temperatures expected to drop below 10° Celsius from Tuesday to Wednesday
Thunderstorm warnings were lifted by the end of the evening. However, temperatures are forecasted to drop significantly due to the cold front.
In May, Quebec typically experiences an average of 12 days with at least one thunderstorm, compared to just 4 days in April. This spike in severe weather aligns with seasonal patterns as summer approaches.
Benoit Chartier from Environnement Canada noted, “C’est un signe indéniable que l’été est à nos portes : des orages violents pourraient frapper le Québec mardi.” He emphasized caution for outdoor activities.
The region’s residents should remain vigilant as conditions can change rapidly. Officials have not provided a timeline for when all services will be restored.
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