Environment Canada has released its annual list of the Top 10 Weather Events of 2025, highlighting a year marked by extreme heat, destructive storms, wildfires, drought, and record-breaking conditions across the country.
Here is a summary of the most significant weather events of the year:
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Canada’s Second-Worst Wildfire Year on Record
More than 89,000 square kilometres burned nationwide, primarily in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, driven by repeated waves of hot, dry, and windy conditions that left communities under prolonged smoke.
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Widespread Drought Across the Country
Drought conditions affected multiple regions, from water shortages in Dawson Creek, B.C., to dangerously low water levels along parts of the St. Lawrence River, leaving boats stranded. -
Severe Thunderstorms in Central and Eastern Ontario
Late June storms knocked out power to tens of thousands, washed out roads, felled trees, injured campers, and resulted in one fatality. -
May Heat Wave Fuels Manitoba Wildfires
Temperatures climbed above 35°C in mid-May, intensifying wildfire conditions. Fires in Nopiming Provincial Park and Lac du Bonnet burned vast areas and claimed two lives. -
Major Ice Storm Paralyzes Ontario and Quebec
A prolonged freezing rain event in late March coated infrastructure in ice, knocked out power to millions, and forced the opening of emergency warming shelters. -
Historic Snowstorms Across Eastern Canada
Multiple snowstorms blanketed regions from Ontario to Labrador in February, with Mirabel, Quebec, receiving 53 cm in one major storm. -
Destructive Prairie Storms
Severe thunderstorms swept Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba in August, damaging crops and producing baseball-sized hail and wind gusts up to 155 km/h. -
Arctic Storm Surge Floods Tuktoyaktuk
On Aug. 30, powerful winds caused a 2.5-metre storm surge, the highest ever recorded in the Northwest Territories hamlet — a phenomenon officials say is becoming more frequent. -
Intense November “Weather Bomb” in Atlantic Canada
A powerful storm battered the region in early November, bringing near-hurricane-force winds to parts of Newfoundland for hours. -
Record Late-Summer Heat in Western Canada
In late August, Lytton, B.C., endured temperatures near 40°C for four consecutive days, capping off an exceptionally hot end to summer.
Environment Canada noted that many of these events reflect a growing trend of more frequent and intense extreme weather, underscoring the increasing impact of climate change across Canada.
Photo Credits : Insauga
