Canadians rang in the first day of 2026 under widespread weather alerts, as Environment Canada issued advisories and warnings across nearly every province and territory.
Snowfall, strong winds, extreme cold and dense fog are affecting large swaths of the country, with conditions varying by region but posing travel and safety risks nationwide.
In Atlantic Canada, Prince Edward Island was placed under special weather statements warning of significant snowfall. Parts of Prince, Kings and Queens counties were forecast to receive 10 to 15 centimetres of snow as a developing low-pressure system moved through the region. Forecasters said snowfall amounts could vary widely, with western areas expected to see higher totals before snow transitions to rain in some locations.
New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were also under snowfall warnings, with up to 10 to 15 centimetres expected in many areas and as much as 20 centimetres possible in parts of New Brunswick. One area of Nova Scotia was also under a wind warning. In Newfoundland and Labrador, Channel–Port aux Basques and surrounding areas faced wind warnings, with gusts forecast between 90 and 120 km/h, raising concerns about potential damage.
In central Canada, multiple warnings were issued across Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. In Quebec, regions including Amqui, Puvirnituq, Sainte-Anne-des-Monts and parts of the Gaspé Peninsula were under winter storm, blizzard, snowfall and wind warnings. Snowfall totals of 15 to 40 centimetres were possible in some areas, along with wind gusts reaching 90 km/h.
Ontario saw snow squall, blizzard and cold weather warnings across several regions. Areas such as Barrie and Waterloo were forecast to receive 10 to 30 centimetres of snow by Friday night. In Manitoba, a blizzard warning was issued for Churchill, with winds gusting up to 90 km/h. Northeastern communities including Brochet, Leaf Rapids, Lynn Lake and Pukatawagan were under extreme cold warnings, with wind chill values plunging to between -45 and -50.
Across the Prairies, Saskatchewan faced a mix of extreme cold and fog advisories. Northern regions, including Cree Lake, were warned of wind chills near -45, with similar conditions expected overnight. Environment Canada cautioned that frostbite could develop within minutes on exposed skin. Further south, including Regina, dense fog was forecast to reduce visibility through the morning hours.
Much of Alberta was also covered by weather advisories for snow, cold and fog. Areas affected by fog, such as Richdale and Twining, faced near-zero visibility. Communities north of Edmonton, including Webster and Willow Valley, could see 15 to 30 centimetres of snow, while northern regions like Wood Buffalo and Garden Creek were bracing for wind chills near -40 and overnight lows approaching -30.
In British Columbia, snowfall and fog warnings were issued for several regions. Parts of the Peace River region and Williston were expected to receive 10 to 15 centimetres of snow. Dense fog warnings were in effect for Vancouver and Nanaimo, with visibility potentially dropping to near zero in some areas through Friday.
Further north, the Northwest Territories’ North Slave Region was under an extreme cold warning, with wind chills nearing -50. In Nunavut, blizzard, winter storm and wind warnings were issued for several communities, including Arviat, Baker Lake and Rankin Inlet, where near-zero visibility and winds of 80 to 100 km/h were possible.
As of late Thursday morning, Yukon was the only region without active weather warnings. Environment Canada is urging Canadians to monitor forecasts closely and take precautions as severe winter conditions continue across much of the country.
