Residents of Canada's capital are guaranteed a picturesque white Christmas this year after a significant winter storm deposited a historic amount of snow on the city.
A Record-Breaking Winter Blanket
On Tuesday, December 23, 2025, Ottawa was transformed by a major snowfall event. A total of 16.4 centimetres of snow accumulated, an amount that has secured its place in the city's weather history. This measurement marks the third-highest snowfall ever recorded in Ottawa on a December 23. The storm provided a sense of seasonal déjà vu, as the capital experienced a similar event just one year prior, when 14 centimetres fell on the same date in 2024.
Festive Scenes and a Chilly Forecast
The heavy snow did not dampen festive spirits, as seen on Christmas Eve in the Byward Market. Visitors like Minerva Ajamian, who hails from Germany, seized the wintry moment. She excitedly took a selfie with her brother, Fadi Ajamian, who was experiencing only his second day in Canada, in front of the iconic Ottawa sign, showcasing the classic Canadian winter backdrop.
According to Environment Canada, the weather pattern remains active. For Christmas Eve, forecasters predicted a 40 per cent chance of flurries overnight coupled with a risk of freezing rain. Temperatures were expected to drop to a low of minus 9 degrees Celsius, with wind chill making it feel closer to a biting minus 13.
Christmas Day Weather and Beyond
The holiday itself will dawn with continued unsettled conditions. Ottawa will wake up on Christmas Day to a 40 per cent chance of flurries and a chance of freezing drizzle. The cloudy skies are forecast to begin clearing in the afternoon, with a high reaching minus four degrees. However, the reprieve will be short-lived. As night falls on December 25, temperatures are expected to plunge sharply to a low of minus 22 degrees Celsius, reminding everyone of the season's fierce grip.
This combination of substantial snowfall and ongoing winter weather ensures that Ottawa's landscape will remain thoroughly blanketed in white throughout the Christmas holiday, delivering the classic snowy scene that defines a Canadian winter celebration.
