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Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Canada Scene Weather Desk. Data from Environment and Climate Change Canada and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
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Check the live forecast above to see which weather front is affecting your region today; understanding fronts helps you plan travel and dress appropriately for sudden shifts in temperature and precipitation.
What is a weather front?
A weather front is the boundary where two different air masses meet — for example, a warm front sliding over cooler air or a cold front pushing a warm one out. In Canada, these boundaries often move west to east, bringing the rain, snow, or wind you see on a weather front map. Knowing the front type helps you anticipate whether the change will be gradual (warm front) or sharp (cold front).
How do weather fronts affect my travels?
If you are driving across the Prairies or flying to the Maritimes, a passing front can mean a sudden drop in visibility, gusty winds, or freezing rain. Check a weather front app or weather front radar before you head out. For snowbirds planning March-break trips, tracking the weather front today and weather front tomorrow can help you avoid the worst of a late-winter storm. A warm front often brings a long period of light precipitation, while a cold front can trigger heavy showers and a rapid temperature plunge.
What are weather front symbols on a map?
On a weather front map, cold fronts appear as blue lines with triangles, warm fronts as red lines with semicircles. Stationary fronts alternate blue and red, and occluded fronts use purple symbols. These weather front symbols show you the type and direction of movement.
How can I track a weather front today?
Use a weather front app or the weather front website of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Their radar loops and surface analysis charts show where fronts are located right now and where they are expected to move weather front today and weather front tomorrow.
Why do fronts cause sudden weather changes?
When a cold front sweeps in, the denser air undercuts warm air, forcing it to rise quickly — this produces sharp temperature drops and often intense rain or snow. A warm front moves more slowly, so its effects last longer but are less dramatic. Both can trigger thunderstorms.
Sources
For more Canadian travel weather, explore our Canada weather hub and check current weather warnings before you go.