Whitehorse has experienced its highest winter precipitation levels on record this season, receiving over two-and-a-half times the usual amount of rainfall, according to Environment Canada. This winter in Yukon saw several records shattered due to the extreme cold and heavy snowfall.
The Whitehorse airport recorded 139.8 millimetres of precipitation between December 1 and February 28, significantly surpassing the seasonal average of 52.1 millimetres for the same period. This winter ranked as the 24th coldest in Whitehorse since records began in 1941, with temperatures averaging -16.9 C, 3.6 degrees colder than the usual -13.3 C for December, January, and February.
Meteorological winter, spanning from December 1 to the end of February, exhibited colder temperatures than usual across most of Yukon during the 2025-2026 season. This anomaly was attributed to a prolonged presence of Arctic high pressure that lingered over the region, causing the frigid conditions.
Although the three-month period did not break overall temperature records, many communities experienced record low minimum temperatures on specific days. Faro set a record with its lowest temperature since 1966 at -45.6 C on December 11. Other locations such as Burwash Landing, Kluane Lake, Carmacks, Beaver Lake, Teslin, Watson Lake, and Whitehorse also saw multiple days of record-breaking low temperatures in December.
Some areas in Yukon had a wetter winter than usual, with Dawson and Watson Lake ranking as the second wettest on record. Benoit Turcotte, a senior researcher at Yukon University, analyzed the data and highlighted the occurrence of 34 consecutive days with temperatures below -20 C in Whitehorse during the winter.
Concerns have been raised about the substantial snow accumulation and the potential for rapid melting in the spring, which could lead to property damage. As of February 28, Whitehorse had 77 centimetres of snow on the ground, compared to 49 centimetres on the same date the previous year.
The accumulation of snow in urban areas poses risks of flooding and property damage if a rapid melt occurs, emphasizing the need for cautious planning and preparation for the upcoming season.