What Is Winter Like in Moncton? Snow, Cold and the Rules Locals Live By

I was raised in Moncton and spent fifteen years in Halifax before coming home, so a Maritime winter is familiar ground for me. This entry is for anyone new to the city, or about to be: the real numbers, the city rules and the good parts, each from the source that sets them.

How much snow does Moncton get?

A lot. The City of Moncton calls Moncton “one of the snowiest cities in Canada,” with snow clearing that begins in early December and carries through to April [1]. Here are the monthly averages from Environment Canada’s 1981–2010 normals [2]:

January is the snowiest month. The big storms are nor’easters moving up the east coast; in February 1992, one lasted two days and dropped 162 cm on the Moncton area [2].

How cold does Moncton get in winter?

January averages a daily high of −3.7 °C and a daily low of −14 °C [2]. The record low is −32.2 °C, and the record wind chill is −49.4 [2]. The good news: winter days here are cold but generally sunny, with the odd “January thaw” [2].

When is the overnight parking ban in Moncton?

The City of Moncton’s winter parking rules run from December 1 to April 15 [3]. Here is how they work:

• Overnight parking is permitted on most city streets, except when snow clearing or ice removal is expected or under way.
• When restrictions are coming, the City posts the notice by 4 p.m.
• While restrictions are in place, on-street parking is not permitted from midnight to 7 a.m. Cars left on the street risk a ticket and a tow.
• The city has three zones: Zone 1 city-wide, Zone 2 downtown and Zone 3 hospitals (around The Moncton Hospital and the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre). A ban covers one zone or several.
• Daytime “temporary no-parking” signs go up for snow clearing, and the clearing happens up to 24 hours after the signs are posted.
• These rules don’t override existing ones: narrow-street bans, no-parking zones and posted signs still apply.

Residents are responsible for knowing when a ban is on. The easy way: sign up for Moncton Alerts and subscribe to “Parking Bans” for a text or email [3][1]. Dieppe and Riverview set their own winter rules, so if you live there, check your own town’s site.

When do the plows come to my street?

Moncton clears by priority [1]:

• Priority 1 streets (526 lane kilometres): busy roads like Main Street, Mountain Road and Vaughan Harvey Boulevard, plus secondary roads like Evergreen Drive, Frampton Lane and Hennessey Road. Ploughing starts after 5 cm of snow.
• Priority 2 streets (586 lane kilometres): residential streets, cleared with help from contractors, starting after 5 to 8 cm.
• Sidewalks: three priority zones, with school and hospital zones first.

The City’s own tip for the end of your driveway: wait until the crew has finished your street, and you only shovel once [1].

Do you need winter tires in New Brunswick?

The Province’s winter driving advice is clear: install four snow tires, and don’t depend on all-season tires. Studded tires are allowed in New Brunswick from October 15 to May 1 [4]. The same page asks drivers to:

• Clear every window, the mirrors and the lights, not just a patch of windshield.
• Keep the gas tank at least half full.
• Carry an emergency kit: blanket, candle with matches, snacks, drinks, flares, cell phone, small shovel, flashlight, scraper, tow rope, a bag of sand and long jumper cables.
• Check road conditions first: dial 511 in New Brunswick, or visit 511.gnb.ca.

What is there to do in Moncton in winter?

Plenty, indoors and out:

• Public skating at the Greenfoot Energy 4-Plex (55 Russ Howard Dr.), the Crossman Community Centre – Kay Arena (99 Wynwood Drive) and the Moncton Coliseum (377 Killam Drive). Admission is free on Fridays, and a CSA-approved ice sports helmet is a must. Check the schedule before you go [5].
• Wild Lights at the Magnetic Hill Zoo, a paid event from November 27, 2026 to January 2, 2027 (closed December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15, 16, 24 and 25) [6].
• The ROYALE® Greater Moncton Santa Claus Parade on Main Street, November 28, 2026, at 5 pm, free [6].
• The City’s Winter in Moncton page, with the Winteractive Fun Map, trails, parks, equipment rentals and winter park conditions [7].
• Kouchibouguac National Park, an hour north: over 30 km of snowshoe trails, 15 km of groomed cross-country ski trails, fat biking, tobogganing at Patterson hill, and rentals for skis, snowshoes and fat bikes [8][9].

And clear winter nights are moon season. The December 23 Cold Moon is a supermoon; the dates are in my full moon log.

How do you get ready for a first Moncton winter?

1. Sign up for Moncton Alerts and subscribe to Parking Bans [1].
2. Put four winter tires on the car [4].
3. Pack the emergency kit and keep it in the car [4].
4. Save 511 for road conditions [4].
5. Bookmark the City’s street and sidewalk snow clearing maps [1].
6. Get a CSA-approved helmet for the skating rinks [5].

Moving here this winter?

If you’re comparing where to live, my main site has the buyer’s side: Moncton vs. Dieppe vs. Riverview. The monthly Moncton numbers are on the Market Stats tab, and every log entry is on the Captain’s Log blog.

Frequently asked questions

How much snow does Moncton get a year?

Moncton averages 325.3 cm of snow a year, based on Environment Canada’s 1981–2010 climate normals. January is the snowiest month, with an average of 78.1 cm.

When does Moncton’s winter parking ban start?

The City of Moncton’s winter parking rules run from December 1 to April 15. When the City issues an overnight ban, street parking is not permitted from midnight to 7 a.m., and the notice is posted by 4 p.m.

How do I find out if there is a parking ban in Moncton tonight?

Check the Moncton Alerts dashboard, or sign up for Moncton Alerts and subscribe to “Parking Bans” to get a text or email when a ban is in place.

When are studded tires allowed in New Brunswick?

Studded tires are allowed in New Brunswick from October 15 to May 1. The Province advises four snow tires rather than all-season tires.

Sources

1. City of Moncton, Snow Clearing Operations
2. Environment Canada 1981–2010 climate normals for Moncton, as tabled in “Climate of Moncton” (Wikipedia)
3. City of Moncton, Winter Parking Restrictions
4. Government of New Brunswick, Winter driving safety
5. City of Moncton, Public Skating
6. City of Moncton, Events
7. City of Moncton, Winter in Moncton
8. Parks Canada, Winter activities, Kouchibouguac National Park
9. Parks Canada, Plan your visit, Kouchibouguac National Park

Sources read November 8, 2026. Times and schedules change; check each source before you plan.