Families in Mississippi Mills, Ontario, can expect a break from the record-setting cold as temperatures are forecast to rise starting mid‑February 2026. This shift will bring an end to a week of dangerous temperatures and high winds that affected the Mississippi Mills area and the broader Ottawa Valley.
Environment Canada issued extreme‑cold warnings for the region, with wind chills near −35 to −40°C, and warned that strong winds with gusts up to 80 km/h were possible. These freezing conditions have pushed up energy demand and costs. Regional reports note heating costs have risen substantially this season; separately, Western Mass News reported a roughly $0.40 per‑gallon jump in heating oil prices in parts of New England early in February.
Inside Halton reports forecasters expect warmer air from the south to begin displacing the Arctic air mass around Feb. 14, bringing milder conditions mid‑month. That outlook contrasts with long‑range forecasts such as the Farmers’ Almanac, which had signalled a generally icy February in its extended winter outlook.
As the thaw begins, the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority (MVCA) is keeping a close eye on the Mississippi River. MVCA officials say they are monitoring the river corridor — particularly the area near the Almonte falls — for potential ice jams and rapid meltwater runoff as ice begins to break up.
