Ontario is heading into a colder and more active winter, with early Arctic blasts expected to drive temperatures down through December. The Weather Network’s seasonal outlook signals a strong return to a classic winter pattern for the province, with higher snowfall risks, more frequent storms, and a sharper chill than Ontarians have seen in recent years.
Meteorologist Doug Gillham says the abrupt shift to winter across Ontario in November was only the start. He expects December and January to deliver colder-than-normal conditions along with above-normal snowfall across southern Ontario and into Quebec. He adds that residents should prepare for more winter weather leading up to and through the holidays compared to many recent years.
Gillham says this season will not be historically severe, but it will feel colder than what Ontarians have grown used to. He notes that winter will “show up in a big way” to start the season.
Several climate signals point toward a more forceful winter. A disruption in the polar vortex is expected to send Arctic air south in December and January. At the same time, a second consecutive weak La Nina will support colder and stormier patterns across the country. Gillham says the two together raise the potential for extended stretches of extreme cold.
He adds that winter sport enthusiasts will welcome the early snow, but drivers should prepare for challenging conditions and rethink any plans to skip proper winter tires.
British Columbia is projected to see near-normal temperatures and precipitation along the coast. Cooler air and increased snowfall are expected in eastern B.C., especially in the southern Rockies and Kootenays.
Alberta faces colder-than-normal temperatures, with heavier snowfall expected in the Rockies and through Calgary. Areas including Edmonton and Fort McMurray should see near-normal totals.
Manitoba and Saskatchewan are expected to see the harshest cold. Gillham says cold snaps will be severe and could stretch well into March. A later spring could help sustain the snowpack, improving soil moisture and reducing early wildfire risks.
Atlantic Canada will experience a more changeable pattern. Early-season cold will mix with milder breaks. Gillham says milder periods might outweigh the cold in parts of Newfoundland and Labrador and southern Nova Scotia. Eastern Newfoundland and parts of Nova Scotia, including Halifax, could see below-normal snowfall.
The territories will see near-normal temperatures across Yukon, the Northwest Territories, and southern Nunavut. The rest of Nunavut will trend warmer than normal.
