Torrential rains and extreme heat: a roller-coaster summer in Quebec so far

The summer has been a roller-coaster ride across Quebec so far. Record-breaking heatwaves have been recorded in Montreal, while the last two months in Quebec City have been marked by heavy rainfall and thunderstorms.

In Quebec City, rain was predominant in July, with at least 210.5 mm of water falling, even flooding streets on several occasions. The average is more like 119 mm. The month ranks fourth among the wettest Julys, with the record having been set in 2023 with 264.7 mm.

"The rain was intense, but a little less frequent in Montreal. There was even a day with 82 mm on July 13, a record for a July day. In the greater Quebec City area, it was a little more repetitive, as on July 17, with 50 to 90 mm in 6 to 12 hours," explained Patrick Duplessis, meteorologist at MétéoMédia.

June and July were also very heavy with precipitation in the regions of Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Mauricie, Capitale-Nationale, Bas-Saint-Laurent, Lanaudière and the Laurentides, where seasonal norms were exceeded.

Meanwhile, in the metropolis, several heat records were broken, notably during the National Day holiday, when the mercury rose to 35.6, the hottest temperature recorded for a June day in Montreal in more than 60 years.

August more pleasant

Although he is speaking with caution, as these are forecasts, Patrick Duplessis says he is still encouraged because August could be a little more pleasant, especially in Quebec City where the rain caused problems, among other things, during the National Day celebrations, which had to be cancelled, and during the Quebec City Summer Festival.

"The warm trend is expected to continue in southern Quebec. Will the heat reach Quebec City? It's still a mystery, but we should have temperatures above normal. However, there isn't necessarily a major rain signal. So, possibly, a small respite, but we have to take that with a grain of salt."

The new normal?

Asked by Le Journal whether future summers could also be very hot and rainy, the meteorologist admitted that it was difficult to answer with certainty, but that since the 1960s and 1970s, a certain upward trend had been observable regarding the amount of precipitation.

"This is not surprising because with rising temperatures, there is more evaporation and the water cycle is a little more intense. We predict that this will probably be the main issue with warmer summers in the coming years and decades," he concluded.

Abnormally warm temperatures in Montreal

Environment Canada also highlighted a notable fact regarding the heat in the city: in June and July alone, Montreal recorded a total of 13 days with minimum temperatures above 20°C.

This is an impressive figure, considering that the normal for these two months is 5 days and the annual normal is 7 days.

The situation is similar with regard to maximum temperatures, with a total of 15 days at 30°C or above observed in June and July.

The normal for this period is 7 days, and 11 days for the entire year. The annual normal was therefore greatly exceeded once again.

Daily records shattered this summer

Montreal (maximum temperature):

• June 23: 34.9°C (previously 33.1°C in 2020)
• June 24: 35.6°C (previously 32.4°C in 2003)
• July 6: 34.0°C (previously 33.6°C in 2010)

A monthly humidex record of 45 set on June 21, 1953, was also equaled on June 23, 2025.

Quebec (minimum temperature):

• June 14: 3.6°C (previously 3.9°C in 1884)