“Winter With a Heart of Cold” Shares Old Farmer’s Almanac

The 2025 Old Farmer’s Almanac predicts a winter with a “heart of cold,” bringing frigid temperatures and heavy snow to the central provinces.

“Most of the country will experience a more temperate winter, but Ontario is in for a snowy one!” says Carol Connare, the Almanac’s editor-in-chief. Ontario and eastern Manitoba are expected to see big freezes and significant snowfall, while the rest of the country will catch a break from extreme cold and constant snow shoveling.

Though Saskatchewan will dodge the heaviest snowfalls, we should still expect below-average temperatures throughout the season. Southern British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan may also face a soggy winter, with occasional snowstorms mixed with rain.

Looking ahead, the summer of 2025 is forecasted to be rainy across much of Canada. Northern regions of British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, as well as southern Ontario, will enjoy a “gardener’s summer” with warm temperatures and plenty of moisture—ideal for growing.

Regional Winter Forecast Summaries:

Atlantic Canada:

• Temperatures: Warmer than usual, with the coldest spells in early December and late February.
• Snowfall: Below normal, though snow will peak in December, January, and February.

Southern Quebec:

• Temperatures: Milder than normal, with cold snaps in December and February.
• Snowfall: Below average, with snowiest periods in December, January, February, and early March.

Southern Ontario:

• Temperatures: Colder than normal, with the harshest cold in December, January, and February.
• Snowfall: Above average in the west, with heavy snow in November through March.

The Prairies:

• Temperatures: Colder than usual, particularly in December, January, and February.
• Snowfall: Above normal, with heavy snow starting in November and continuing throughout the season.

Southern British Columbia:

• Temperatures: Colder than average, with the chilliest weather in December and January.
• Snowfall: Below average, with light snowfalls mainly in November through March.

How Are Long-Range Forecasts Made?

The Almanac’s long-range forecasts focus on seasonal trends rather than daily predictions. They provide guidance for farmers, gardeners, and everyday weather watchers.

How Does the Almanac Predict the Weather?

Since 1792, the Almanac has used a unique combination of solar science, climatology, and meteorology to predict weather patterns. By comparing solar activity with historical data, they forecast broad weather trends. For 2024–2025, the predictions are based on data from 1991 through 2020.

Factors Shaping the 2024/25 Winter Forecast:

• Solar Cycle 25: Increased solar activity may contribute to slightly warmer temperatures, though this effect has lessened in recent years.
• Ocean Patterns: The team is monitoring oscillations in the Pacific and Atlantic, as well as the equator, which influence temperature and precipitation.
• El Niño/La Niña: A neutral or La Niña phase is expected this winter, contributing to varying weather patterns across the country.