The official start to winter may still be four months away, but the Farmers’ Almanac has already dropped its extended forecast for what Canadians can expect as the cold weather returns.
For those who were getting used to winters like we experienced in 2023-2024, the warmest on record for Ontario and Canada as a whole, we hate to burst your bubble, but traditional temperatures and snow are coming back in full force.
According to the Almanac’s predictions, Ontario residents should prepare for a return to a traditional Canadian winter for 2025-2026, flanked with frigid temperatures, heavy snowfalls, and powerful storms we know all too well from years past.
Southern Ontario in particular will experience a highly variable season. While the region may see brief thaws, especially in December and early March, these milder breaks will be short-lived. The Almanac suggests that sharp cold snaps will return frequently throughout January and February, making these months especially harsh.
The forecast warns that bone-chilling conditions will persist across much of the province, with residents needing to prepare for sudden drops in temperature and prolonged stretches of deep cold.
Snowfall will be another major factor in Ontario this winter. The Farmers’ Almanac highlights the province as one of the snowiest regions in Canada for the 2025-2026 season. Frequent snowstorms are expected to hit Southern and Eastern Ontario, with lake-effect snow creating heavy accumulations in communities near the Great Lakes.
Icy conditions are also expected to play a major role, creating dangerous travel for drivers across highways and city streets alike. The most intense storm activity is projected for late January and February, when Ontario will likely see multiple systems moving through, bringing a mix of heavy snow and ice.
In late December 2025, Ontarians can expect unsettled weather with snow, sleet, and freezing rain moving through the province. January 2026 is predicted to be particularly stormy and frigid, with nor’easters sweeping across Eastern Canada and Arctic blasts reaching deep into Ontario.
February 2026 is forecast to be the heart of the season, with widespread snowstorms and severe cold dominating the province. Even as March arrives, milder air will be slow to push in, meaning residents may still face rain, fog, and late-season snow well into the month.
Until then, make the most of the last of the summer weather, outdoor pools, and patio season because it won’t be long before we’re digging our cars out of snowbanks again!