As Canada transitions into March, a significant cold snap is gripping much of the country. For Monday, 2 March 2026, Canadians can expect a continuation of the frigid conditions that marked the final weekend of February, with Environment Canada maintaining several active weather alerts.
Central Canada: Bitter Cold and Wind Chill Warnings
In Ottawa and the surrounding National Capital Region, a Yellow Warning for extreme cold remains in effect. Residents should prepare for a very cold morning with wind chills dipping between -30 and -35. While the skies are expected to clear by mid-morning, the biting west winds (30 km/h gusting to 60 km/h) will keep temperatures feeling significantly lower than the actual thermometer reading. Frostbite can develop within minutes under these conditions.
In Toronto, the forecast for Monday morning indicates cold, cloudy conditions with brisk winds making it feel like -17°C. However, the evening is expected to clear, offering some relief from the overcast start to the month.
Montréal will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 40 percent chance of flurries. The high is expected to reach only -6°C, but the wind chill will hover near -17°C throughout the day.
Western Canada: Frigid Prairies and Alpine Mix
The Prairies continue to face the brunt of the polar vortex influence. Winnipeg is bracing for a morning of clear skies but “bitter cold” temperatures. Further west, Saskatchewan is seeing some relief as blowing snow advisories in the southeast and snow squall warnings in Saskatoon have recently been lifted, though temperatures remain well below seasonal norms.
In British Columbia, the weather is more varied. Vancouver remains under typical late-winter cloud cover, while mountain regions like Revelstoke are forecasting a mix of sun and cloud for Monday with freezing levels at the valley bottom and alpine lows of -2°C.
Atlantic Canada and the North
The Maritimes are seeing a transition from the milder weather of late February back to winter standards. Forecasters indicate that while “winter hasn’t said its last word,” the sunshine remains a factor in the Atlantic provinces, even as temperatures dip.
National Weather Outlook Summary
| City | Forecast for 2 March | High/Low (Est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Ottawa, ON | Sunny; Extreme Wind Chill | -11°C / -22°C |
| Toronto, ON | Cloudy morning; Clear evening | -4°C / -11°C |
| Montréal, QC | Chance of flurries; Cold | -6°C / -15°C |
| Winnipeg, MB | Clear; Frigid temperatures | -18°C / -28°C |
| Vancouver, BC | Mainly cloudy | 7°C / 2°C |
Editor’s Note: Environment Canada has announced that the Weatherradio Canada service will be permanently decommissioned on 16 March 2026. Residents are encouraged to transition to digital alerts and mobile apps for real-time weather updates.