A long way to go until summer in Quebec, says The Weather Network

Parc Jean-Drapeau during the coldest day of the winter in Montreal. (Jean-Francois Forget/CTV News)

Winter isn’t quite done yet, according to The Weather Network, as it predicts a snowy and rainy spring for much of the eastern part of the country.

In fact, it says the road to summer should be “long” and “winding” in Quebec and Ontario.

“We don’t think winter will end early. We still have opportunities for snow in March and April,” Meteorologist André Monette told The Canadian Press. “With the anticipated dissipation of La Niña and a return of El Niño during the summer, the transition from winter to summer is expected to be laborious in 2026.”

He explains that a “cold anomaly” in the Prairies, as well as warm weather from the southern U.S. could bring more rain to Quebec and Ontario.

“A few snowstorms are still possible in the first half of spring,” said Monette.

As such, the Weather Network is forecasting “above-normal” precipitation in the coming weeks for parts of Quebec.

“If the snow melts quickly, it could cause flooding, so that’s something we’re monitoring,” Monette said. ”The risk at this point is moderate.”

Temperature predictions

The Weather Network says temperatures in western Quebec are expected to be below normal, while the northern areas should be above normal.

The rest of the province could see temperatures “close to normal.”

In Ontario, spring temperatures will likely be below normal, except for the southeastern part of the province, which should be close to normal.

“On some occasions, a few significant heat waves will reach the Windsor-Quebec corridor, providing some relief,” says Monette, adding, “these periods of summer heat will be short-lived.”

In the Atlantic provinces, the number of coastal storms “is not expected to be abundant,” according to Monette.

He adds, “The Maritimes will be more isolated from cold air outbreaks during the spring,” with “close to normal” temperatures and precipitation amounts at the seasonal average.

A cooler-than-normal spring is expected in western Canada, with the exception of British Columbia, where temperatures should be close to normal.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 25.