A jogger runs along a sidewalk blanketed in snow on Wellington Street near Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Thursday, December 11, 2025. The Canadian Press
Large parts of Canada faced dangerous weather on Sunday. Many alerts issued early in the day stayed active into the afternoon. Several provinces and two territories felt the impact. Heavy snow, strong winds, freezing rain, and extreme cold affected daily life. Forecasters urged residents to stay alert and prepared.
Atlantic Canada Braces for Harsh Conditions
Strong weather systems hit Atlantic Canada first. Newfoundland and Labrador faced powerful winds and heavy snow. Some areas could receive up to 30 centimetres. Forecasters warned residents to take precautions. One alert said, “Secure outdoor Christmas decorations and other objects that could be lifted by strong winds.” Poor visibility could continue from Sunday into Tuesday.
Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia also faced rough weather. Yellow storm warnings covered several regions. Snowfall totals could reach 40 centimetres. Wind gusts might hit 90 kilometres per hour. The harsh conditions could last into Monday in some areas.
Quebec Watches Storm Near the Coast
One region of Quebec remained under a winter storm warning. The alert covered areas near Îles-de-la-Madeleine. Forecasters expected “hazardous winter conditions” overnight Sunday and into Monday. Snow and strong winds could reduce visibility and slow travel.
Ontario Sees Snow Squalls
Ontario dealt with numerous advisories on Sunday morning. Seventeen alerts covered large parts of the province. Most warnings involved possible snow squalls. The affected area stretched from London to Tobermory and from Barrie to Goderich. Forecasters expected conditions to improve later Sunday. Snow squalls could weaken by the afternoon.
Manitoba Faces Extreme Cold
Southern Manitoba experienced dangerous cold early Sunday. The warning included the Winnipeg area. Wind chills made conditions feel severe. Temperatures improved later in the day. Officials lifted the cold warning by noon local time.
Alberta Monitors Mixed Hazards
Parts of Alberta remained under yellow warnings. These alerts covered wind, freezing rain, and snow. Areas included Edmonton and regions near British Columbia and Saskatchewan. Snow could fall in two waves. The first round arrived Sunday morning. Another round could follow overnight into Monday. Freezing rain should ease by the afternoon.
West Coast Battles Heavy Rain
Southern British Columbia continued to deal with heavy rain. Rainfall warnings remained active. Further north, conditions shifted to winter weather. Snow and freezing rain could fall from Sunday into Monday morning. Drivers faced slick roads and reduced visibility.
Northern Regions Feel Deep Freeze
Yukon faced extreme cold and snowfall warnings. Wind chills could make it feel like minus 50 to minus 55 degrees. Whitehorse could see 15 to 20 centimetres of snow by Monday morning. Residents prepared for bitter conditions.
The Northwest Territories also faced severe weather. Three alerts warned of blizzard conditions near the Amundsen Gulf. Strong winds and snow could create whiteout conditions.
Areas Without Alerts
Some regions avoided warnings on Sunday afternoon. New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Nunavut had no active advisories as of early afternoon.
Staying Safe
Officials urged Canadians to monitor forecasts closely. Travel delays and power issues remained possible. Preparation and caution remained key as winter weather continued to move across the country.
