Environment and Climate Change Canada has compiled a comprehensive list of the top 10 weather events across Canada for the year. This annual tradition, which started in 1996, showcases significant weather occurrences impacting Canadians. The 2025 list, unveiled recently, does not rank events in any particular order.
Jennifer Smith, a national warning preparedness meteorologist at Environment and Climate Change Canada, described the year as diverse in weather patterns, stating, “This year had it all.” She also acknowledged the enduring resilience of Canadians over the past three decades.
Among the featured stories is the devastating wildfire season, marking Canada’s second-largest wildfire event on record. In 2025, over 8.9 million hectares were scorched, following the catastrophic 16.1 million-hectare wildfires in 2023. The 2025 wildfires prompted the evacuation of more than 75,000 individuals, with a significant portion from First Nation communities, particularly in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, where massive fires ravaged the landscape, enveloping the region in smoke.
The wildfires were exacerbated by widespread drought conditions across the country. By September’s end, the Canadian Drought Monitor reported that 85% of Canada was experiencing dry conditions or drought, impacting nearly 76% of the nation’s agricultural land. British Columbia and Ontario were notably affected, with Ontario facing water shortages that hindered activities like apple-picking and pumpkin harvesting.
A surprising turn of events occurred in late August and early September when Western Canada experienced soaring temperatures, setting over 200 daily maximum temperature records in British Columbia. Towns like Lytton and Ashcroft witnessed record-breaking temperatures, with Ashcroft hitting a new high of 40.8°C in September.
Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., faced a severe flooding event in late August due to a powerful low-pressure system. The coastal community endured strong winds and heavy rainfall, resulting in record storm surges and significant damages.
These are just a few highlights from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s top 10 weather stories for 2025. For more details on other noteworthy events, including intense summer storms on the Prairies, snowstorms in central and eastern Canada, and an ice storm affecting parts of Ontario, visit the official website.
