Blizzards, snow squalls, extreme cold: Weather warnings across Canada

A man walks on Parliament Hill during a snow storm in Ottawa, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Severe winter weather is sweeping across large parts of the country, prompting a mix of blizzard warnings, snow squall alerts and high wind advisories from coast to coast.

Environment Canada is urging residents to use caution as weather alerts span multiple provinces and territories.

Here’s a look at the warnings, watches and advisories that have been issued.

Ontario, Quebec

Severe winter weather is impacting much of Ontario, with blizzard warnings in effect across parts of Bruce County, Perth County, Huron County and more. Blizzard conditions could produce near-zero visibility, Environment Canada said.

A mixed bag of wind gusts between 60 and 80 km/h, wind chills between -20 and -25, and snowfall of 20-40 centimetres is forecast for Monday through Tuesday in these areas.

Snow squall warnings stretch over Niagara region, Kawartha Lakes, Peterborough, Barrie and more with snow expected between 20 and 30 centimetres and westerly wind gusts of up to 90 km/h.

Blowing snow advisories are posted for parts of the Greater Toronto Area, York Region, Waterloo, Wellington County and surrounding areas.

Snow squall watches are in effect across much of southern Quebec including the Montreal area and Laval.

Heavy flurries could reduce visibility to zero Monday evening with wind gusts reaching 70 km/h. “Travel may be hazardous,” the watch said.

The Prairies

A widespread wind warning is in effect across much of central and east-central Alberta, including Red Deer, Drumheller and surrounding rural municipalities.

In these regions, strong northwest winds are gusting to 90 km/h and expected until Monday night before weakening Tuesday morning.

“Local utility outages are possible,” Environment Canada warned.

A cold weather warning is in effect for much of Manitoba, including Winnipeg, the Interlake, Parkland, Red River Valley and eastern and northern regions.

Environment Canada forecasts wind chill values as low as -40, set to end late Monday morning.

West Coast

A fog advisory is in effect across Metro Vancouver and inland Vancouver Island, with reduced visibility impacting areas like Vancouver, Burnaby, New Westminster, Richmond, Delta and Langley.

From Monday through Tuesday afternoon, residents can expect near-zero visibility. “A ridge of high pressure over B.C. is trapping moisture near the surface creating an area of dense fog in the vicinity of Port Alberni,” the advisory said.

Atlantic Canada

Multiple weather advisories and warnings are in effect across Newfoundland and Labrador.

Wind warnings are posted for the Avalon Peninsula North and St. John’s vicinity, with forecasts predicting 80 km/h and 100 km/h along parts of the coast Monday afternoon.

While rainfall and wind are expected across Avalon Peninsula southeast and southwest. Total rainfall is between 25 and 40 millimetres, according to the warning and will end Monday afternoon. Rainfall rates of 10 millimetres per hour or higher may occur in some areas.

Snowfall warnings are in place for large parts of central and western Newfound and Labrador, including Bay St. George, where snowfall is expected between 15 and 25 centimetres. Strong winds will produce reduced visibility in blowing snow, Environment Canada said.

Snowfall warnings are in effect across much of Nova Scotia, with Environment Canada cautioning that 15-20 centimetres of snow is expected across central, northern and eastern regions, including Halifax, Hants County, Kings County, Richmond County and Cape Breton County.

The warning said snowfall will end Monday morning.

Cities are preparing for the wintry weather as schools across Nova Scotia are closed Monday and more than 100,000 customers are without power after a nor’easter brought dense, heavy snow to the region overnight.

In P.E.I., for both King and Queen counties, residents can expect about 15 centimetres of snow that is forecast to end late Monday morning. “Road and walkways will likely be difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow,” the warning said.

The North

In the Northwest Territories, residents of Paulatuk and Sachs Harbour are under a blizzard warning with snow and blowing snow expected Monday night through Tuesday morning.

A winter storm watch, including blizzard conditions and blowing snow, was issued for the Tuktoyaktuk area. Conditions will improve by Tuesday morning, Environment Canada said.

Blizzard warnings are in effect for much of Nunavut, with Arviat and Baker Lake under yellow-level alerts – a hazard of blowing snow from northwest wind gusts of up to 70 km/h. This is expected to last through the remainder of the weekend. Wind chill values could reach -50.

Gjoa Haven is facing a higher-impact orange blizzard warning that could last all of Monday with conditions improving by evening.