Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada map showing departure from average precipitation in millimetres across the Prairies from November 1, 2025, to March 30, 2026, with brown areas indicating below-average moisture in southern Manitoba and far northwestern Alberta and teal areas showing above-average moisture in central Alberta and Saskatchewan. Created March 31, 2026.

Manitoba winter 2025-26 outstays its welcome

You’re not imagining it, it really was cold and dry (despite flood outlooks) this winter, and spring has been slow to arrive: Here’s your winter weather sum up for the Prairies in 2025-26

March ran 2 to 3 C below average across central Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba, capping a winter that was drier than normal nearly everywhere but Calgary.





Light reflects of crystals of blowing snow during a blustery winter day near Russell, Man., December 2023.

Why is the sky blue?

A look at some big recent weather stories and more weather basics

The colour of the skies, on the Prairies and elsewhere, tells the story of the paths sunlight takes as it enters Earth’s atmosphere, Daniel Bezte writes.




Spring runoff flows between melting snowdrifts in a ditch on the Prairies. Photo: File

Forecasting spring 2026 weather on the Prairies

What kind of weather can farmers expect across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan as they head into seeding 2026? Plus: more on what makes the seasons turn

What weather can farmers expect across Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan as they head into seeding? Plus: a lesson on what makes the seasons turn


Weather models are still not showing a sustained push of true spring conditions across the Prairies. Photo: Getty Images Plus

Prairie forecast: Arctic air dominates the forecast

For this forecast period, it appears we will need to wait a little longer for spring to arrive. Weather models continue to show a northwesterly flow across the region, but this time the dividing line between mild and cold air has shifted slightly farther south. As a result, near to below-average temperatures are expected across much of the Prairies.