🌊 The Falls

All the news that’s fit to get wet — February 19, 2026

Your trusted source for both sides of the most dramatic river border in North America

☁️ WEATHER: Nature Can’t Make Up Its Mind (As Usual)

🇺🇸 Niagara Falls, NY · NWS Forecast Currently a brisk 31°F with full cloud cover — the sky is apparently auditioning to be a ceiling. Today’s high reaches a balmy 40°F, with only a 10% chance of rain. Don’t get too comfortable: Friday brings a 70% chance of snow with a high of 44°F, which is meteorologically baffling but very on-brand for Western New York. The weekend continues with snow chances hovering around 35%. In summary: dress in layers, and maybe don’t plan an outdoor wedding.

🇨🇦 Niagara Falls, ON · Environment Canada Warning · Full Forecast Environment Canada has issued a Freezing Rain Warning, because apparently the Canadian side looked at the American side’s “moderate rain” forecast and said “hold my Tim Hortons.” Temperatures are hovering right at the freezing mark — that special zone where every raindrop makes an executive decision the moment it hits pavement. Ice buildup of 2–5mm expected. Roads will be slippery. Walkways will be treacherous. Ontario will carry on regardless.

💡 Pro tip: The Falls themselves are partially iced over after last week’s deep freeze — reportedly the best ice formations in a decade. So if you slip on the sidewalk, at least the view is spectacular. (Global News | BlogTO)

🇺🇸 NEW YORK SIDE: The Empire Strikes Back (At Its Own Budget)

💸 Main Street Gets Some Love — Allegedly

Mayor Robert Restaino is promising “good news” about the ongoing revitalization of Main Street — specifically, a new owner is expected for the Rapids Theatre very soon. Specifics remain elusive, which in municipal politics is either a sign of diplomatic caution or the classic “we’ll figure it out by the ribbon cutting.” Stay tuned. (Niagara Gazette)

🧟 The 70-Year-Old Meth Mailman

A 70-year-old Niagara Falls man is facing up to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty to having meth shipped to his house through the mail. At 70, you’d think he’d be getting mailers for retirement communities, not controlled substances. The postal service: truly delivering for everyone. (Niagara Gazette)

🔥 14th Street Fire Investigation

Fire investigators are looking into an early-morning blaze on 14th Street. Cause unknown. Winter in Niagara Falls is really going for a full house: rain, ice, fires, and a 70-year-old drug lord. (Lockport Journal)

💼 Chamber of Commerce Needs a Leader

The Niagara USA Chamber of Commerce is launching a search for a new permanent executive director. Qualifications presumably include: enthusiasm, tolerance for potholes, and the ability to explain to tourists why the Maid of the Mist is closed until May. (Lockport Journal)

🎣 Fishing Expo Is Back, Baby

The Greater Niagara Fishing Expo returns to the Niagara Falls Convention Center on Thursday. Whether fishing for actual fish or just networking with people in waders, this is your event.

🚗 Police Blotter Hall of Fame

Recent highlights from the Niagara Falls Police Blotter include: stealing Valentine’s flowers, fighting with officers, and a Good Samaritan who helped a woman get her car unstuck — then stole it — but got caught at Coastal. A full emotional arc in one news item. Oscar-worthy, honestly. (Niagara Express)

🇨🇦 ONTARIO SIDE: Politely Icy, Literally and Figuratively

🧊 Niagara Falls Is Basically Frozen Art Right Now

Last week’s deep freeze turned the Canadian side of Niagara Falls into something out of a fantasy novel — ice formations described as the most impressive in a decade. The Niagara River froze over enough that even tour boats couldn’t get through. The Maid of the Mist, for its part, is hibernating until May and not commenting on conditions. (CP24 | Niagara Parks / PelhamToday)

🏎️ Woman Nearly Launches Car Onto QEW

A young woman narrowly escaped a very bad Thursday after her vehicle launched off a highway onramp near Niagara Falls and was stopped only by some convenient brush before rolling onto the QEW. The bush: an underrated hero of Canadian infrastructure.

🏒 Pickleball Wars in Niagara-on-the-Lake

The noble sport of pickleball remains banned at Virgil Sports Park due to noise complaints — and the ban shows no sign of lifting this spring. Pickleball players are reportedly very upset. Neighbours are reportedly very not. The conflict continues with the passion usually reserved for actual international disputes. (Niagara Now)

🎭 Shaw Festival vs. A Bulldozer

The Shaw Festival has temporarily halted demolition of the Royal George Theatre after a local builder launched a legal challenge, alleging the town didn’t follow proper heritage rules. Niagara-on-the-Lake: where even tearing things down requires a heritage committee review and two rounds of council debate. (NOTL Local | Newswire | Shaw Festival)

🦋 Butterfly Conservatory is OPEN

In a rare piece of unambiguously cheerful news, the Butterfly Conservatory reopened February 14th. Adults $25, children $16.50. In a world of freezing rain warnings and meth mailers, you can still stand in a warm room while butterflies land on you. Highly recommended.

🎉 EVENTS: Things To Do When You’re Not Sliding on Ice

Event Where When 🐟 Greater Niagara Fishing Expo NF Convention Center, NY Feb 19–22 (Today!) 🏰 Old Fort Niagara Youngstown, NY Fri–Sun, 10am–4pm 🌊 Niagara Falls Illumination Both sides of the Falls Daily 5:30pm–1am 💧 Journey Behind the Falls Niagara Parks, ON Daily 10am–5pm 🦋 Butterfly Conservatory Niagara Parks, ON Daily 9am–5pm ⚡ Niagara Parks Power Station Niagara Parks, ON Daily 10am–5pm 🐠 Aquarium of Niagara Niagara Falls, NY Daily 9am–5pm

⚠️ Closed until further notice: Maid of the Mist (May), Whirlpool Aero Car (Spring), Jet Boat Rides (May), Hornblower Cruises (April). Basically anything involving the actual water. February is not the water’s season.

🌉 ACROSS THE BORDER: A Love-Hate Relationship, Mostly Love

Both sides of the falls are technically experiencing the same weather system and looking at the same body of frozen/partially-frozen water. The main difference is that the American side has potholes and the Canadian side has freezing rain warnings with official government email addresses to report severe weather. Different vibes, same magnificent natural wonder.

The Falls illumination runs every night from 5:30pm to 1am — free to watch from both sides, and genuinely one of the most dramatic free shows on the planet. If you only do one thing tonight, do that. Just wear cleats.

🌊 The Falls — “We cover both sides so you don’t have to cross in this weather.” Published: Thursday, February 19, 2026