Weatheradio and Hello Weather Shut Down March 16, 2026: Here's What to Do Now
On March 16, 2026, Environment Canada officially shut down two services that millions of Canadians relied on for weather information: the Weatheradio broadcast network and the Hello Weather automated telephone forecast service. The shutdown marks the end of an era for phone-based and radio-based weather access in Canada, but alternatives exist.
What Happened?
Environment Canada announced in late 2025 that it would be discontinuing both the Weatheradio network and the Hello Weather telephone service as part of a modernization initiative. The agency cited declining usage and the proliferation of internet-based weather services as reasons for the change.
Weatheradio was a network of over 230 VHF radio transmitters that broadcast continuous weather information across Canada. Launched in the 1980s, it provided 24/7 weather updates that could be received on dedicated Weatheradio receivers or some consumer weather radios. The system was particularly valued for its severe weather alert capability: receivers could be set to sound an alarm automatically when warnings were issued.
Hello Weather (1-833-794-3556) was Environment Canada's automated telephone weather service. Callers could dial the toll-free number, enter a 5-digit location code, and hear a recorded weather forecast for their area. The service covered approximately 800 locations across Canada.
As of March 16, 2026, all Weatheradio transmitters have been decommissioned and the Hello Weather phone number (1-833-794-3556) is no longer active.
Who Is Affected?
The shutdown disproportionately affects Canadians who don't have reliable internet access, the very people who relied most on these services:
- •Rural and remote communities across the Prairies, northern Canada, and coastal areas where broadband internet remains unavailable or unreliable
- •Farmers and ranchers who used Weatheradio and Hello Weather multiple times daily to plan agricultural operations
- •Seniors who found the phone-based service simple and preferred it over navigating websites or apps
- •Mariners, fishers, and outdoor workers who relied on Weatheradio receivers aboard boats and at remote work sites
- •Indigenous communities in northern and remote regions where phone service exists but internet does not
What Are the Alternatives?
Environment Canada has directed people to its website (weather.gc.ca) and mobile app for weather information. However, this isn't practical for everyone, particularly the communities listed above who lack reliable internet access.
For Canadians who need weather forecasts without internet, Canada WeatherLine has stepped in as the private replacement service.
Canada WeatherLine: The Private Alternative
Canada WeatherLine is a toll-free telephone weather service that provides the same core function as Hello Weather and Weatheradio: access to Environment Canada weather forecasts without needing the internet.
- ✓Call 1-866-844-0945 toll-free from any phone in Canada
- ✓Say your location, key in your postal code, or enter your old Hello Weather code
- ✓Hear detailed forecasts powered by Environment Canada data
- ✓Works on any phone: landline, cell, or satellite. No internet needed
- ✓Free trial, then $40/year
How Does Canada WeatherLine Compare?
Canada WeatherLine builds on the Hello Weather concept with several improvements:
- •Broader coverage: Hello Weather covered about 800 locations. Canada WeatherLine covers every postal code in Canada.
- •Easier to use: Instead of looking up a location code in a directory, just say your town name or key in your postal code.
- •More detailed forecasts: Includes hourly short-term conditions, 7-day extended outlook, and northern lights activity.
- •Backwards compatible: Your old Hello Weather 5-digit location code still works.
The main difference is cost. Hello Weather and Weatheradio were taxpayer-funded government services. Canada WeatherLine is a private service that costs $40/year after a free trial.
What Should You Do Now?
If you relied on Weatheradio or Hello Weather, here's what to do:
- 1Try Canada WeatherLine free: Call 1-866-844-0945 toll-free. Your free trial starts with your first call. No credit card needed.
- 2Save the number: Replace the old Hello Weather number (1-833-794-3556) with the new number: 1-866-844-0945.
- 3Tell others: If you know people who relied on Weatheradio or Hello Weather, especially seniors, farmers, or people in rural areas, let them know about this alternative.
Looking Ahead
The loss of Weatheradio and Hello Weather is significant, especially for rural and remote Canada. These were government-funded services that provided free, universally accessible weather information to anyone with a radio or a phone.
While private alternatives like Canada WeatherLine can fill the functional gap, the broader question of equitable access to essential weather information in a country as vast and varied as Canada remains an important one. In the meantime, phone-based weather services remain the most accessible option for Canadians without reliable internet, and Canada WeatherLine is here to ensure that access continues.