Home › Weather › Weather Radar
Live forecasts update automatically; written guidance last reviewed 16 June 2026 by the Northern Focus Weather Desk. Data from Environment and Climate Change Canada and other national met services via Open-Meteo.
Check the live radar above to see precipitation moving across your area now, then use the loop controls to watch the last few hours of weather radar data. This is your most immediate view of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation.
What does weather radar actually show?
Weather radar sends out pulses of microwave energy and listens for echoes bounced back from precipitation particles. The strength of the return tells us how heavy the rain or snow is, while Doppler technology reveals wind direction and speed inside storms. The live radar above is updated every 10 minutes from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s network of over 30 sites across the country.
When you look at weather radar environment Canada imagery, colours indicate intensity: greens and yellows for light to moderate rain, oranges and reds for heavy rain, and blues or pinks for snow. For a local view, try toronto weather radar live or ontario weather radar live — both are available on the live loop above. If you’re on the East Coast, check weather radar atlantic canada to track nor’easters or weather radar near st john’s nl for Atlantic storms.
How to use the radar for your plans
Select a location on the live map or use the ontario weather radar 24 hours loop to see if rain is heading your way. The toronto weather radar 24 hour view is especially useful for commuters and outdoor workers. Combine radar with Canada weather hub forecasts and weather warnings to stay ahead of storms. Remember that radar shows precipitation reaching the ground, but can sometimes overestimate light drizzle or underestimate heavy snow.
Why does radar sometimes show no data in a storm?
Radar beams can be blocked by mountains or hills, creating “shadow zones.” Also, very intense rain or hail can weaken the beam before it reaches farther areas, causing gaps.
Can I use radar to tell how much snow will accumulate?
Radar estimates snow rate reasonably well, but ground accumulation depends on temperature, melting, and compaction. Use radar as a trend indicator, not a precise snow-depth gauge.
Is weather radar the same as satellite imagery?
No. Radar looks at the lower atmosphere from the ground up, showing precipitation. Satellite images show cloud tops from space. Both are useful, but radar is better for tracking rain and snow on the ground.