Quebec's winter forecast is out and it reveals when deep freezes and blizzards are coming

It might feel impossible to imagine while we're sweating through humidex values near 40°C, but the Farmers' Almanac just dropped its 2025–2026 winter outlook for Quebec — and it's painting a very chilly picture.

For northern Quebec, the forecast warns of "dangerous wind chills and prolonged deep freezes" through January and February, with Arctic air masses expected to dominate. These frigid spells could last for days at a time, bringing the kind of cold that keeps you indoors.

Southern Quebec and the greater Montreal area will still get their share of "sharp cold snaps" all season long, even if a few mild breaks show up here and there. According to the outlook, those short-lived thaws will be just enough to lull you into thinking winter's easing up before another blast of frigid air moves in.

Snow lovers? You might be happy, or not, depending on how much you enjoy shovelling. The Almanac predicts "multiple nor'easters and blizzards" in late January and February, which could bring above-average snowfall to much of the province. Eastern Quebec, in particular, is flagged for some of the season's biggest storms.

The long-range forecast also calls January 2026 a "stormy and frigid month" for the East, while February could see widespread snowstorms and deep freezes. And if you're counting on spring for relief, March is described as a "transitional month" with lingering cold in the east, rain, fog and late-season snow before milder air pushes in from the west.

Heads-up for Quebecers:

• Snowfall is expected to be above average in many regions
• The snowiest periods could hit in late January and February
• Extended cold spells are likely, especially in northern Quebec
• Spring 2026 could be cooler and wetter than usual

The full 2025–2026 forecast is available on the Farmers' Almanac website, which bases its predictions on a mix of long-range weather patterns, solar activity and historical trends.

Love this? Check out our MTL Blog noticeboard for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!

AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our Editorial Standards page.