By Kevin Smith
For all of Canada’s greatness, unfortunately, it is one of the coldest countries in the world. However, not all of Canada is cold year-round. Canada has four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall. But winter is the most extended season of the year, and it gets frigid with several snowstorms. Most of Canada’s over 37 million population live near the US border. The mildest region in Canada is southern British Columbia, with the best weather year-round (but British Columbia gets lots of rain, the most in Canada).
1. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Canada was in 1947. It was recorded as -62.8 °C (-81°F) in Snag, Yukon. Another is Canada’s proximity to the Great Lakes (Erie, Huron, Ontario & Superior). These bodies of water have a cooling effect on the overall temperature of the country.
2. Our weather can be affected by El Niño and La Niña patterns that occur every 3+ years. El Niño causes warmer, wetter conditions (excellent for West Coast), and La Niña causes colder, drier conditions (excellent for East Coast).
3. What type of weather does Canada have? Is Canada cold all year? Again, these are questions only Canadians can answer. (Just kidding, but seriously, Canadians are very aware of their climate and temperature.) And while some people think that the environment in more than half of the country may be “cold” year-round…: this is not true. Although it can get pretty darn cold during the winter, the Great White North (Canada) offers four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.
4. When you are in the southern part of Canada, the climate is warmer & more humid (it is the warmest in July/August).
5. Canada, on average, experiences up to 250 days of sunlight a year. As a result, seasons in Canada are more pronounced than in other parts of the world.
6. Why is the weather so cold in Canada during the winter? (Short & sweet answer): The main reason it is so cold in some parts of Canada is the North American continent sitting right close to the North Pole.
7. Canada’s capital city, Ottawa, is the third coldest capital city in the world.
8. Canada has four different climate regions: Arctic Tundra, Sub-Arctic, Temperate and Humid Continental. So, no matter where you live in this country… you will find something you like!