Silly question but I am from Sydney Australia, where we see no snow, and as we are staying in Toronto for Christmas we are taking the opportunity of visiting Quebec during our stay. We will be in the city 17 to 20 December and want to know the likelihood of snow at that time of year. Also what are the must sees. Thanking you in anticipation.

It really depends. Chances are pretty high that you would experience snow, however given the erratic weather patterns it could also be one warm balmy day - the first in 100 years!

December stats for Quebec City:

32mm of rain
82 cm of snow
48cm of snow cover (on the ground)
18 days of falling snow

from : http://www.meteomedia.com/meteo/stat...0.htm?CAQC0441

Yes..it does snow in Quebec City in December. I went 2 yrs ago in December and it was the prettiest time. It was 2 weeks before Christmas and the city was decorated for the holiday. There were people roasting chestnuts and carrollers. Just beautiful. It was also VERY VERY cold...so make sure you dress very warm. Where will you be staying?

Thanks for all for your replies to my query. Chances are looking fairly good for some snow. ICUKA thanks for your input, tentatively booked Hotel Des Coutellier after good reports online. Now I am getting excited....

I lived in Sydney during Australia's "winter" in 2000.
I had a good laugh when I saw Sydneysiders wearing parkas when it was +15C out. Being from the Canadian prairies where it gets down to -30C in January, all I wore was a fleece jacket. On the other hand, I doubt that I would be able to suffer through +40C summers.

Be prepared for a 50C temperature drop.
A layered approach with a windproof shell works best. You might have to buy this gear in Toronto as it is not likely that you will find winter wear in Sydney during the summer time.

To hogtownjim thanks for your input. Thinking of doing the ski sales at the end of our winter to dress ourselves appropriately. We cannot imagine how cold it gets over there - it's going to be pretty interesting!

jlrussell,

thanks for chiming in here. Upon seeing your query I remembered my trip to Quebec City, in late March (after most of the winter) and how I would drive around a corner onto a residential street and see unfathomable piles of SNOW in many spots along single blocks, where cars might sit in most cities. (these the result of the constant snow plowing)

It will likely be very cold there, and the wind can be HOWLING in Q.C.

The "must sees" are anything that you can inspire yourself to leave your nest in the cold to visit.

Seriously, I like the "Old Quebec" area that is walled off... and in another area of town there are shops and things along very narrow streets. There is indoor/underground(?) shopping adjacent to the rapid transit.

You won't need to physically DO much to experience the great contrasts to home.

stholm- well that was a rude comment! Quebec in the winter was beautiful. Jlrussel wanted to know if there would be snow..and I was relating my experience of travelling to Quebec in the wintertime. Yes it was cold, yes the wind did howl. But we got warm by fireplaces and ate at wonderful restaurants and just had a marvelous time. You should look for the positive things in your travels - not concentrate on the negatives like running like an idiot in heavy snow. Perhaps you might have a more positive outlook on things......