Snow will begin over southern Quebec Thursday morning, spreading eastward throughout the day. Upwards of 30 cm of snow is possible over regions north of a line from Pontiac to Charlevoix and Chaleur Bay.

Drivers are being warned to prepare for reduced visibility in heavy and blowing snow and to adjust travel plans as needed.

The snow will transition to ice pellets and freezing rain throughout the day with 5-10 mm of ice accumulation expected.

“The Lachute and Lanaudière areas may see up to 15 millimetres of ice accumulation,” says Environment Canada in the freezing rain warning. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions.”

(Source: The Weather Network)

Hillyer was previously diagnosed with leukemia.  He had undergone a bone marrow transplant back in 2003.  Jim was found dead in his Ottawa office this morning.
He was a Canadian Politician and a Member of the Canadian House of Commons.  He was elected to the House of Commons of Canada for the federal Conservative Party of Canada in the 2011 election, representing the electoral district of Lethbridge.

The cause of death is not yet known.

According to Ford’s chief of staff, Dan Jacobs, he’s just announced that Former Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has died. He was 46 years old.  He had been battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

IKEA Canada is recalling all GOTHEM floor and table lamps due to the risk of electric shock, after some examples of damaged cables in the lamps have been found. Damaged cables can lead to the metal body of the lamp becoming electrically live and thereby being a safety hazard. IKEA has not received any reports of injuries.

At IKEA, the safety and security of everyone who comes into contact with our products is of the utmost importance. Our products are tested to and comply with applicable testing standards and legislation. In spite of this we have received three reports of electric shocks potentially caused by the product. In order to safeguard customers we are recalling the products for a full refund.

Even if the lamp is working, IKEA urges all customers that have a GOTHEM lamp to immediately stop using it and to return it to any IKEA store for a full refund.

All three models of GOTHEM lamps – two table lamps and one floor lamp – are affected by the recall.

The GOTHEM lamps have been sold on all IKEA markets since October 2015.

Customers should return their GOTHEM lamps at the Returns & Exchange department at any IKEA store or call IKEA Customer Service toll-free, 1-800-661-9807 for a full refund. Proof of purchase (receipt) is not required by IKEA for this recall.

Source: IKEA Canada

Winter is not over yet! A low pressure system is moving up the Eastern Seaboard. It will intensify rapidly as it reaches Maine. Snow is expected with this system, from Montreal to the Lower North Shore. The area of snow is expected to clip the Montreal area overnight Sunday, but Quebec City and areas farther east will likely be harder hit. Significant snowfall is possible on the Gaspé Peninsula and the North Shore beginning Monday evening. Strong northerly winds could also significantly reduce visibilities in blowing snow in these areas. Strong tides could also affect the Gaspé Peninsula coastline. Conditions are expected to improve late in the day on Tuesday on the Gaspé Peninsula and overnight Tuesday on the North Shore. Another winter storm could potentially affect the province of Quebec in the second half of the week.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.