A significant winter storm has descended on Montreal, prompting a snowfall warning from Environment Canada and causing major traffic disruptions, including the complete closure of a key highway section. Authorities are urging extreme caution as conditions rapidly deteriorate.
Snowfall Warning and Hazardous Conditions
On Thursday, January 15, 2026, Environment Canada issued a formal snowfall warning for Montreal and surrounding regions. The federal weather agency forecasts that up to 15 centimetres of snow could accumulate by the end of the day. The snow is expected to be heavy at times, significantly reducing visibility and impacting the evening commute.
The warning explicitly states that the weather will lead to "quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions," advising the public to prepare accordingly.
Major Highway Closure and Police Advisory
The intensifying snowfall has already had severe consequences on the roads. In Longueuil, a two-vehicle accident, combined with multiple other collisions and vehicles spinning out, forced the total shutdown of westbound Route 132 at the Highway 25 interchange on Thursday morning. The closure was announced by Quebec 511, with no immediate timeline for reopening.
In response to the dangerous situation, the Longueuil agglomeration police service (Service de police de l'agglomération de Longueuil) issued a stark warning to motorists. Police are strongly advising drivers to completely avoid the Route 132 area in both directions near Highway 20 as driving conditions continue to worsen.
Widespread Transportation Disruptions
The impacts of the storm extend beyond roadways. The Réseau express métropolitain (REM), Montreal's electric light rail network, is also experiencing service disruptions due to the weather conditions. Operators confirmed the issues on Thursday morning, though specific details on the nature of the delays were not immediately provided.
The combination of closed highways, poor road conditions, and public transit delays is creating a challenging travel scenario for the greater Montreal area during a weekday. Residents are encouraged to consider postponing non-essential travel, allow for extra commute time, and stay updated on the latest traffic and transit advisories from official sources.
