Published on July 16, 2025 at 11:26 a.m.
Wednesday, heat and humidity continue to dominate in many sectors in Quebec … and thunderstorms are invited to the party! Moreover, thunderstorms could be particularly strong in a corner of the province, to the point where a risk of tornado is to be considered. Forecast.
A lot, a lot of energy
On Wednesday, there is a lot of convective energy everywhere at the four corners of the province, but it is really along a front that there should be an explosion of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. The evolution of stormy cells will be made by following the axis of this cold front.
The perfect recipe for imposing thunderstorms
A lot of energy, strong instability due to the cold front and an atmosphere loaded with water for humidity: the ingredients are indeed gathered so that thunderstorms burst. “As a bonus, this Wednesday there is shear, an element that we did not necessarily have in the past few days,” explains Nicolas Lessard, meteorologist.
The areas targeted by today’s thunderstorms range from Abitibi to Gaspésie, passing through Bas-Saint-Laurent and Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. The main threats to monitor are episodes of abundant rain, strong gusts, but the risk of seeing one or two tornadoes that are added to the program.
Tornado potential to keep in mind
An important note to remember in connection with the thunderstorms on Wednesday: along this stormy front, there are greater possibilities to observe rotation, mainly in the Saguenay sector-Lac-Saint-Jean, but also the coastal regions of Gaspésie and Bas-Saint-Laurent. The formation of Supercellules is to be considered in the afternoon. “Shear would allow certain cells to rotate and potentially produce a tornado. Thus, the possibility of seeing a brief tornado is not to be ruled out, for these sectors, ”underlines Nicolas Lessard.
We therefore speak of a slightly more localized effect with this possible rotation which could be observed this Wednesday afternoon, especially in the clouds around the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean.
Note that even if the atmosphere is also loaded in southern Quebec, there are no thunderstorms on the menu for these regions this Wednesday since there is not enough instability. This is only part discount… for Thursday! And these could be very strong. To follow in the next episode of these storms in series!
With the collaboration of Nicolas Lessard, meteorologist.