What will winter 2026–2027 bring across Canada? See The Old Farmer’s AlmanacWinter Forecast for temperatures, snowfall, and the snowiest periods in your region.
Winter 2026–2027 A Split Winter for Canada: Milder South, Snowier East and West
Temperatures: Most of southern Canada will be near to above normal, while colder conditions are expected in southeastern Ontario and farther north across central Canada.
Wet/Dry: Wetter than normal in Atlantic Canada, from the western Prairies through southern British Columbia, and across southern Nunavut.
Snowfall: Snowier than normal in Atlantic Canada, across southern Quebec and southern Ontario, from the northwestern Prairies through British Columbia, and across southern Nunavut.
For much of southern Canada, winter won’t be as cold as usual—but southeastern Ontario and a broad stretch of central Canada will be colder than normal.
Colder-than-normal temperatures are expected in southeastern Ontario and from northern Newfoundland and Labrador westward across central Canada, through the northern Prairies, and into central and northern British Columbia. Most of southern Canada and the far north will be near to above normal.
And remember: “Above normal” is relative. It may not be as cold as usual, but it’s still a Canadian winter!
Where Will It Be Snowy This Winter?
Snowier-than-normal areas are expected in both the East and West.
Above-normal snowfall is expected across Atlantic Canada, southern Quebec, and southern Ontario; from the northwestern Prairies through British Columbia; and across southern Nunavut.
“Canada is simply too vast for a one-size-fits-all winter forecast. This season, much of the South and far North are likely to enjoy milder-than-average conditions, while colder weather settles across parts of the middle of the country. Snow lovers may find plenty to celebrate in portions of both the East and West.”
— Carol Connare, Editor-in-Chief, The Old Farmer’s Almanac
Winter gets off to a warmer-than-normal start in Atlantic Canada, but cooler days arrive with the new year. With above-normal precipitation and near- to above-normal snowfall, expect a wet winter overall.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Early to mid-January and mid-February
Precipitation: Above normal
Snowfall: Near to above normal
Snowiest periods: Late December, early to mid-January, and early and late February
2. Southern Quebec
The warmer end to 2026 may feel like a distant memory once the calendar turns. Colder temperatures and snowier periods are expected in the new year.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Early to mid-January and mid- to late February
Precipitation: Below normal
Snowfall: Near to slightly above normal
Snowiest periods: Mid- to late December, mid- and late January, mid- and late February, and early and mid-March
3. Southern Ontario
It may be a drier winter overall in southern Ontario, but don’t put away the snow shovel: snowfall is expected to be above normal. Eastern areas will also be colder than usual.
Temperatures: Below normal in the east; above normal in the west
Coldest periods: Mid- and late January and early and late February
Precipitation: Below normal
Snowfall: Above normal
Snowiest periods: Early and late January and mid-March
4. Southern Prairies
A less severe winter is in store across the Prairies, with above-normal temperatures throughout the region. In the east, expect a drier winter with less snow.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Late December into mid-January and mid-February
Precipitation: Below normal in the east; above normal in the west
Snowfall: Near to below normal
Snowiest periods: Late December, early January, and mid-February
5. Southern British Columbia
Get ready for a wetter, snowier winter. Northern parts of the region will run colder than normal, while farther south, temperatures are expected to be above normal.
Temperatures: Below normal in the north; above normal in the south
Coldest periods: Late December, late January, and early February
Precipitation: Above normal
Snowfall: Above normal
Snowiest periods: Late December and early and mid-January
6. Yukon
Above-normal temperatures don’t mean a warm winter in the Yukon—it will still be plenty cold. The good news for anyone tired of shoveling: both precipitation and snowfall are expected to be below normal.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Early and late December, mid-January, and mid- to late February
Precipitation: Below normal
Snowfall: Below normal
Snowiest periods: Much of November, early January, early February, and early March
7. Northwest Territories
Above-normal temperatures and less precipitation and snow may sound like an easier winter, but don’t let that fool you—it’s still winter in the Northwest Territories.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Late December, much of January, mid-February, and early March
Precipitation: Below normal
Snowfall: Below normal
Snowiest periods: Early November, mid-December, and mid-February
8. Nunavut
Warmer-than-normal temperatures may provide a little relief in Nunavut, but southern areas have a wetter, snowier winter ahead.
Temperatures: Above normal
Coldest periods: Late December, early January, early to mid-February, and early and mid-March
Precipitation: Below normal in the north; above normal in the south
Snowfall: Below normal in the north; above normal in the south
Snowiest periods: Early November, mid-February, and early March
Get the Full Year of Canadian Forecasts
Ready for the full year ahead? The 2027 Old Farmer’s Almanac Canadian Edition includes our complete 12-month long-range weather forecast, plus astronomy, gardening advice, facts, and Almanac fun for the year ahead.
Prefer digital? Get instant access to the 2027 Online Canadian Edition to read on your computer or tablet. No physical book is shipped, so there are no shipping charges.
The only thing I found good about this book is the re pies and remedies. The forecasts were way off the last few years. I live in northeastern Ontario and we barely had snow. It was mild and we had a very green Christmas which is unusual
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<span>T Delmar</span>Fri, 10/04/2024 - 17:00
The Famer's Almanac is Always way off.. I don't ever remember the predictions being accurate.. even once for where I live. Mind boggling that this hasn't been revamped to actually become somewhat accurate one day
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<span>Teresa Kelly</span>Wed, 09/11/2024 - 11:41
You never have a lot to say about Northern Ontario from Nipigon, Ontario to Thunder Bay, Ontario to Kenora. There's a lot of traffic on the highways in the winter. Why do you just skim over our area?
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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a>Fri, 09/13/2024 - 09:55
Hello, Teresa, thank you for writing to The Old Farmer's Almanac. The area you describe is Southern Ontario. For that region we are forecasting a cold, snowy winter as can be seen on this map of our long-range weather predictions for Canada and in the article on this page. We are forecasting that same weather for almost all of Ontario, too, except for the northernmost parts of the province (on Hudson Bay). We are calling for this region to be mild and dry this winter. This is indicated in the map, but not broken out in the article. Safe travels, The Editors.
Hi! In your response to Teresa, I am surprised that you describe the Thunder Bay/Nipigon area as "Southern Ontario". They are in fact in Northwestern Ontario. No big deal, since the forecast seems to be the same for all of Ontario, but I was intrigued by your response. Thanks folks!
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<span>Liane</span>Tue, 08/27/2024 - 13:52
The map and your forecast did not agree for Southern Ontario. It seems rather incomplete.
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<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a>Wed, 08/28/2024 - 09:23
Hi, Liane,
The map tells what is going on in a very general sense, and covers all of Canada, unlike the regional and daily summaries, which focus on the areas outlined on the Weather Regions map (page 210 of the print edition). For example, on the Canada Winter Forecast map, we see that most of Southern Ontario is predicted to be colder and snowier than average, although the southeastern parts are expected to be milder and drier than average (as is the area around the Hudson Bay, but that is not part of our “Southern Ontario” predictions).
The general summary (aka General Weather Report and Forecast, found on page 97 of the print edition) takes into account all regional summaries for Canada. The general summary for winter 2024–25 indicates that we expect the winter to be seasonal or colder than usual in areas including Southern Ontario. Precipitation is predicted to be near to above normal overall—when averaging areas within each entire province; for example, even though there is an area of dry in the southeastern Ontario on the map, the greatest portion of the province is predicted to have above-normal precipitation, as well as higher than average snowfall. We expect snow to be near to below normal, except in western Ontario (and parts of the Prairies)—where it will be above normal. In other words, for Southern Ontario, we are predicting the western part to be snowier than normal, and the (south)easternmost part to be near to below normal.
For winter, each regional summary averages the forecast dailies for November through March. For the Southern Ontario regional summary, we predict that the winter will be colder than normal, with above-average precipitation. Snowfall will be below average in the east and above average in the west. This agrees with the map and general summary. (“East” in this case is the southeastern area, such as around Toronto, Barrie, London, and Parry Sound.) In this case, the temperature and precipitation sections of the regional forecast were not broken down into east/west; instead, the overall averages were taken (colder temps and above-average precipitation) for the entire area of Southern Ontario. The map, however, breaks it down into separate sections.
Hope this helps! Thank you for your interest in The Old Farmer's Almanac!
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<span>Anita Varone</span>Mon, 09/23/2024 - 09:02
Hi there,
I am not really following how are you defining 'Southern Ontario.' There is mention in one of the comments as Kenora being Southern Ontario. Isn't Southern Ontario reserved for Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area? It is not really clear what the forecast is for this specific area and what 'snowy and colder' in November means- can you clarify?
It is very hard to believe or understand, but the weather difference that happens in Canada and the U.S. is at times extremely different. It amazes me at times how something so close can be so far, but it has been seen and does happens. In parts of the U.S. there could be experiences of alot of tornadoes, but in Canada it is not something that is seen as much. Yes it is crazy but that the weather for you. ...but I do completely understand what you are saying about the "fine line"
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