Think you know winter? I bet there are a few things you’re probably getting wrong about this season’s weather, so let’s set the record straight!
First up, the classic myth: It’s too cold to snow. This is not true. Snow can fall at any temperature below freezing (and sometimes a few degrees above freezing) if there’s moisture in the air.
Explainer: Recipe for snow graphic, ingredients or science behind snow
DON’T MISS: Canada’s come-and-go winter will regroup and return for January
The difference? Frigid weather produces light, powdery flakes or even ice crystals since cold air holds less moisture. Those heavy, wet snowfalls? They happen when it’s closer to freezing, and the air can carry more water. So yes, it can snow in extreme cold—it just looks a little different!
To learn more about this common myth, watch the video below as Tyler Hamilton, another meteorologist at The Weather Network, breaks down the science behind how snow develops.
Click here to view the video
Next, there is often the misconception that a ‘blizzard’ means heavy snow is falling, but these events are actually all about the wind and visibility.
To be deemed a blizzard, specific criteria need to be met, which are that we need to see sustained winds of 40 km/h or more and visibility under 400 meters for at least four hours.
Blizzard explainer: What is a blizzard – 4-4-4 rule
RELATED: 20 winter weather words you need to know
Here’s another one…
During the winter, snowstorms often grab the headlines, but freezing rain can be the real troublemaker. It forms when snow melts in a warm air layer and refreezes on cold surfaces, creating an icy glaze that’s a nightmare for roads, trees, and power lines.
And finally, if a La Niña pattern is in place during the winter, it doesn’t mean cold and snow for everyone. While B.C. may get more snow, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada can often be milder, courtesy of the jet stream’s position.
Now that we have cleared up those four winter myths, you’re ready for the season, and we will keep you ready for whatever forecast surprises might be thrown your way!
WATCH BELOW: Canada’s 2025 Winter Forecast
Click here to view the video