Most Canadians may be spared from the kind of bone-chilling winter they dread, according to the long-range outlook from The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The 233-year-old weather guide is predicting that the 2025–26 winter will bring above-normal temperatures across much of the country, with the exception of southeastern Ontario.
Carol Connare, editor-in-chief of the almanac, explained in a recent interview that the overall trend points toward milder conditions compared to average winters. However, she emphasized that “mild” is relative and Canadians should still be prepared with their tuques and heavy jackets. The forecast also warns of more moisture in the atmosphere due to warming trends, which means heavier precipitation—whether rain, sleet, hail, or snow—depending on the region.
Across the country, the outlook varies. Atlantic Canada can expect a warmer season with heavier precipitation and snowfalls concentrated in November, December, and January. In Quebec, southern regions will see warmer but wetter conditions with less snow than usual, while the north should brace for a milder yet snowier season. Ontario will be split, with southeastern areas facing colder and drier conditions and northern regions experiencing milder, snowier weather.
The Prairies will largely be warmer than normal, with the southern half facing wetter conditions and more rain than snow, while northern areas could see drier or snowier winters depending on the province. British Columbia is forecast to have a warmer winter overall, with cold snaps expected in late November, early December, and February. Southern B.C. may see heavier precipitation, while northern areas are projected to be drier.
Farther north, Nunavut is expected to be mild and snowy, while the Northwest Territories will lean toward mild and dry. Yukon’s southern half will see a snowy season, while the northern half is expected to remain mild and dry.
The Almanac, which bases its long-range forecasts on a formula devised in 1792 and updated with modern calculations, relies on a mix of solar activity, climatology, and meteorology. Its authors continue to claim around 80 per cent accuracy, and the Canadian edition for 2026 will be available in stores starting Tuesday.