Winter's icy grip continues to hold much of Canada in its grasp as of March 15, 2026, with a multitude of weather warnings and special statements blanketing nearly every province. Environment Canada has issued alerts for a range of conditions, including snow, freezing rain, and extreme cold, impacting travel and daily life for many Canadians.
British Columbia is facing a mixed bag of precipitation, with snowfall warnings in effect for the Bulkley Valley, inland sections of the North Coast, Prince George, and Fort Nelson. Accumulations are expected to range from 10 to 15 centimetres in most areas, but inland parts of the Central Coast could see a significant dump of 30 to 40 centimetres. Meanwhile, Metro Vancouver and other coastal regions are bracing for heavy rainfall due to a prolonged atmospheric river, prompting high streamflow advisories.
The situation in Ontario is no better, with central regions under an orange alert winter storm warning. Communities such as Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, and Kapuskasing are preparing for 10 to 20 cm of snow and ice pellets. Freezing rain is also a concern, potentially leading to ice buildup around Sudbury and Manitoulin Island. Strong wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h are expected to exacerbate conditions. Even southern and eastern Ontario, including major cities like Toronto, London, and Kitchener, could see patchy freezing rain and minor ice accumulation.
Quebec is also bracing for winter storms, with central and southern areas under yellow and orange alerts. Val d'Or, Rouyn-Noranda, and Chibougamau anticipate 20 to 40 cm of snow, transitioning to ice pellets and freezing rain. The Maritimes are not escaping unscathed, with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick under special weather statements for heavy rain and strong wind gusts. While spring is on the horizon, winter is making sure its presence is known across Canada.
