Key Takeaways
- Canada’s top 10 weather stories of 2025 include the country’s second-worst wildfire season on record, with over 8.9 million hectares burned.
- A drought affecting 85% of Canada contributed to the wildfires, with 76% of the country’s agricultural land experiencing abnormally dry conditions or drought.
- Other notable weather events include a surprise heatwave in Western Canada, intense flooding in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., and devastating Prairie summer storms.
- The resilience of Canadians in the face of extreme weather events is a recurring theme in the list, which has been released by Environment and Climate Change Canada since 1996.
Introduction to Canada’s Top 10 Weather Stories
The federal department of Environment and Climate Change Canada has released its list of the top 10 weather stories of 2025, covering extreme weather events that affected Canadians from coast to coast to coast. The list, which has been released annually since 1996, highlights the country’s second-worst wildfire season on record, with over 8.9 million hectares burned. According to Jennifer Smith, a national warning preparedness meteorologist, "this year had it all," but the resilience of Canadians remains a constant theme.
Canada’s Wildfire Season
One of the most significant weather stories of 2025 was Canada’s second-worst wildfire season on record. The season saw over 8.9 million hectares burned, with more than 75,000 people forced to leave their homes. Nearly three out of every five of those people were from First Nation communities. The wildfires had a profound impact on the country, with smoke from Western Canada descending on Toronto in June and affecting air quality. The provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba were particularly hard hit, with massive wildfires spreading and merging.
Drought Conditions
The wildfires were exacerbated by a drought that affected 85% of Canada, with 76% of the country’s agricultural land experiencing abnormally dry conditions or drought. The drought was particularly severe in Western Canada, where it has been ongoing since 2021. However, Ontario also experienced drought conditions in the summer, particularly in eastern Ontario, where water levels in the St. Lawrence River dropped, causing boats to become stuck. The drought also affected apple-picking and pumpkin seasons, with many farmers struggling to produce crops.
Surprise Heatwave in Western Canada
In late August and early September, Western Canada experienced a surprise heatwave, with temperatures soaring in British Columbia. Over 200 daily maximum temperature records were set in the province between August 22 and September 8. In Lytton, B.C., temperatures reached 40 C or higher for four days in a row, from August 24-27. The town of Ashcroft set a new September record for the province and the country, with the mercury soaring to 40.8 C on September 3.
Intense Flooding in Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T.
At the end of August, Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T., experienced an intense flooding event, as a powerful low-pressure system descended on the coastal community. The system brought strong winds and heavy rainfall, causing storm surge and flooding in the hamlet. Winds of 70 km/h or higher slammed into Tuktoyaktuk for almost six hours, causing significant damage and disruption.
Other Notable Weather Events
In addition to the wildfires, drought, and heatwave, other notable weather events made the top 10 list, including devastating Prairie summer storms, snowstorms in central and eastern Canada, and an ice storm that paralyzed parts of Ontario. These events demonstrate the extreme and varied weather conditions that Canadians faced in 2025. The full list of the top 10 weather stories can be found on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website, providing a comprehensive overview of the country’s most significant weather events of the year.