Spring may have officially arrived, but Canadians shouldn’t expect a quick shift to warm weather, according to Environment Canada forecasts.
Across much of the country, the first days of spring are being marked by snow, rain, fog and cloudy skies rather than sunshine and mild temperatures. Meteorologists say the transition out of winter will be gradual, with colder-than-normal conditions expected to persist into April.
Chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell noted that while temperatures will slowly rise, the change will be a “slow go” over the next month or more. Even into early April, many regions — including parts of Ontario — could still see snowfall.
The lingering chill is largely due to Arctic air masses still sitting just north of Canada, which can easily dip south and bring below-seasonal temperatures. While snowfall is expected, experts say it will likely be lighter and melt quickly thanks to stronger spring sunlight.
This follows what many experienced as a particularly harsh winter, with prolonged cold spells linked to a polar vortex earlier in 2026.
Looking ahead, however, the long-term outlook shifts dramatically. Canada is expected to experience an El Niño event beginning this summer, which could make 2026 one of the hottest years on record globally. Warmer ocean temperatures in the Pacific are expected to influence weather patterns, potentially leading to hotter conditions and an increased risk of wildfires, especially in western Canada.
Experts caution that while spring may feel delayed, the overall trend points toward a warmer and possibly more extreme summer ahead, highlighting the growing variability in Canada’s climate patterns.