People living in Peguis, Manitoba, can expect a month of unstable weather in February 2026 as temperatures shift between extreme cold and sudden thaws. The Weather Network’s February outlook describes a “rollercoaster” of temperature swings — Arctic air masses alternating with periodic Pacific‑sourced thaws. This follows a late‑January deep freeze that prompted Environment Canada extreme‑cold warnings and wide media coverage.
Long‑range outlooks and regional climate data indicate these swings are likely to continue through the month. While warmer days may feel like a break from winter, rapid thaws can soften secondary reserve roads and, when temperatures drop again overnight, create dangerous black ice. Those fluctuations also strain household budgets and heating supports as families try to keep homes at a steady temperature.
To help manage high heating costs, Peguis and nearby Fisher River participated in a community clean‑energy program — led by Raven Outcomes and partners — that installed geothermal exchange units and energy retrofits in more than 120 homes. Chief Stan Bird has warned the community faces a housing crisis tied to repeated flooding and ongoing recovery work, which makes these weather swings harder for families to handle. Peguis Public Works and local crews will be monitoring road and Fisher River ice conditions as the month progresses.
There is also concern about the Fisher River: premature warming can mobilize river ice and create jams that lead to localized flooding. That risk is especially acute for Peguis, which filed a $1‑billion lawsuit in April 2024 seeking damages and permanent flood protection related to the devastating 2022 floods. Efforts to improve flood mitigation remain a priority as the weather becomes less predictable.
