Climate of Canada
Climate of Canada varies widely across a vast territory that spans the Pacific, Arctic, and Atlantic Oceans. Latitude, elevation, continentality, mountain barriers, and ocean influence produce climates ranging from Arctic tundra to marine west coast and humid continental zones. Seasonal contrasts are pronounced in most regions, with winter cold and snow, warm or hot summers, and strong regional differences in precipitation.
| Main drivers | Latitude; proximity to oceans; mountain rain shadows; elevation; Arctic/continental air masses; Pacific/Atlantic storm tracks |
|---|---|
| Broad zones | Arctic & Subarctic; Humid Continental; Marine West Coast; Semi-arid/Steppe; Highland (mountain) |
| Seasonal pattern | Cold/snowy winters for most regions; warm to hot summers in the south; wet Pacific winters, drier interior; thunderstorm season on Prairies and in southern Ontario/Quebec |
| Key hazards | Winter storms & blizzards; freezing rain; heat waves; drought; wildfires & smoke; floods; hurricanes (Atlantic); atmospheric rivers (Pacific) |
How Canada’s climate works
Canada’s climate reflects the interaction of polar and mid-latitude air masses. In winter, cold Arctic air frequently reaches far south; in summer, warm continental or maritime air moves north. Mountain ranges along the west concentrate precipitation on windward slopes and create rain-shadowed interiors. Jet stream position and large-scale oscillations (e.g., El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Arctic Oscillation, North Atlantic Oscillation) influence the storm tracks and temperature anomalies experienced from year to year.
Climate zones (overview)
- Arctic & Subarctic — Very cold winters, short cool summers; low precipitation; permafrost and tundra or northern boreal forest. Dominant across the Arctic Archipelago and northern mainland.
- Humid Continental — Four seasons; cold/snowy winters and warm summers with convection storms. Southern Ontario/Quebec and parts of the Maritimes.
- Marine West Coast — Mild, wet winters and cool summers along coastal British Columbia; heavy orographic precipitation on windward slopes with temperate rainforest.
- Semi-arid/Steppe — Dry, sunny climates in parts of the southern Prairies and interior British Columbia valleys; large day-to-day and seasonal temperature swings.
- Highland (mountain) — Temperatures and precipitation vary with elevation and aspect across the Rockies, Columbia, and Coast Mountains.
Seasons
- Winter (generally December–February)
Frequent snow, cold waves, wind chill, and blowing snow in many regions; coastal British Columbia is milder with rain at low elevations. Freezing rain risk peaks along the St. Lawrence–Great Lakes corridor during warm-air intrusions.
- Spring (March–May)
Rapid transition with freeze–thaw cycles; meltwater and ice breakup influence river flows. Convection and severe thunderstorms begin on the Prairies and southern Ontario.
- Summer (June–August)
Warm to hot in southern Canada; frequent thunderstorms on the Prairies and Great Lakes–St. Lawrence corridor. The Pacific coast is cooler, often dry in mid-summer; the Atlantic region can experience humid spells and occasional tropical remnants.
- Autumn (September–November)
Cooling temperatures; frontal systems bring steady rain to the Pacific coast (atmospheric rivers possible) and the Maritimes; frost spreads southward; first snows in interior and northern regions.
Regional climates
- Atlantic Canada
Marine influence moderates temperatures, with cool springs and storm-affected winters. Nor’easters and, some years, post-tropical or hurricane systems bring heavy rain, wind, or coastal impacts.
- Central Canada (Ontario and Quebec)
Humid continental climate south of the Shield: cold winters with snow and occasional freezing rain, warm to hot summers with thunderstorms. North of the Shield, winters are longer and colder; summers are shorter but warm.
- Prairie Provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta)
Continental climate with large temperature ranges; dry, sunny conditions common. Thunderstorms, hail, and tornadoes are most frequent in the southern Prairies. Drought cycles and blizzards are key hazards.
- British Columbia
Strong Pacific influence along the coast (mild, wet winters; cool summers). Intense orographic precipitation on windward slopes; interior plateaus and valleys are drier, with hot summers and cold winters. Atmospheric rivers can produce extreme rainfall and flooding.
- Northern Territories (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut)
Arctic and subarctic conditions: long, very cold winters and brief, cool summers. Permafrost and sea ice shape ecosystems and infrastructure; daylight varies dramatically through the year.
Precipitation and hydrology
Precipitation peaks in winter on the Pacific coast and in summer across much of the interior due to convection. Snowpack accumulates through winter in many regions, feeding spring freshets. Rain–snow lines shift with elevation and storm type, influencing river regimes and flood risk. Lake-effect snow affects communities downwind of the Great Lakes when cold air crosses open water.
Weather and climate hazards
- Winter storms and blizzards reduce visibility and disrupt travel in many provinces.
- Freezing rain/ice storms occur along favoured corridors when warm moist air overrides shallow cold air near the surface.
- Severe thunderstorms bring hail, heavy rain, downbursts, and tornadoes (most frequent in the southern Prairies and parts of Ontario).
- Heat waves and humidity impact health, especially in urban cores; cooling centres and heat alerts are common.
- Drought periodically affects the Prairies and interior British Columbia.
- Wildfire and smoke affect air quality and visibility regionally during active fire seasons.
- Hurricanes and post-tropical cyclones can affect Atlantic Canada, especially late summer to autumn.
- Atmospheric rivers can produce extreme rain, snow, and rapid snowmelt on the Pacific slope.
Climate data and normals
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) publishes Climate Normals (e.g., 1991–2020) for stations across the country as well as hourly and daily historical data. When comparing places, select the same normal period and similar exposure (e.g., airport stations). Elevation, distance to water, and urban heat can create differences even within one metro area.
- How to cite data here
Use ECCC’s official portals for station normals and historical data; include station name, ID, period, and link in the article’s references.
Climate table (structure)
Data source: 1991–2020 Canadian Climate Normals from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Station names appear in the Notes column. See climate.weather.gc.ca for details.
Normals are 30-year averages; conditions can vary within a metro area due to elevation, distance to water, and urban effects.
| City | Province/Territory | Mean Jan (°C) | Mean Jul (°C) | Annual precip (mm) | Annual snowfall (cm) | Notes/Station |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto | Ontario | −5.0 | 22.1 | 806.8 | 114.5 | Toronto Pearson (airport) |
| Montréal | Quebec | −9.2 | 21.7 | 1,040.8 | 216.6 | Montréal–Trudeau (airport) |
| Vancouver | British Columbia | 4.1 | 18.2 | 1,159.5 | 36.6 | Vancouver International (airport) |
| Calgary | Alberta | −7.6 | 16.9 | 445.4 | 138.7 | Calgary International (airport) |
| Ottawa | Ontario | −9.6 | 21.3 | 919.5 | 175.4 | Central Experimental Farm (city station) |
| Winnipeg | Manitoba | −16.4 | 19.7 | 521.1 | 114.0 | Winnipeg Richardson (airport) |
| Halifax | Nova Scotia | −4.1 | 18.8 | 1,510 | 150 | Halifax Stanfield (airport) |
| Saskatoon | Saskatchewan | −16.6 | 18.6 | 355 | 96 | Saskatoon (airport) |
| St. John’s | Newfoundland and Labrador | −3.9 | 16.1 | 1,512 | 322 | St. John’s (airport) |
| Whitehorse | Yukon | −16.7 | 14.1 | 262 | 145 | Whitehorse (airport) |
| Yellowknife | Northwest Territories | −26.9 | 17.0 | 289 | 156 | Yellowknife (airport) |
| Iqaluit | Nunavut | −27.7 | 7.0 | 411 | 254 | Iqaluit (airport) |
All values are 1991–2020 climate normals rounded to 0.1 where available (precip/snow rounded to whole mm/cm for readability). Source: Canadian Climate Normals (ECCC).
Climate change in Canada
Observed trends include warming across all regions, with the greatest increases in the North and during winter. Warmer temperatures influence snow and ice cover, growing seasons, permafrost, wildfire seasons, heavy-rainfall statistics, and some types of extreme weather risk. Adaptation planning focuses on resilient infrastructure, emergency management, nature-based solutions, and community health—especially for northern, rural, coastal, and Indigenous communities.
See also
- Geography of Canada • Environment of Canada • National parks of Canada
- History of Canada • Economy of Canada • Provinces of Canada
- Travel in Canada • Cities of Canada
External links (official)
- Environment and Climate Change Canada — Climate data portal (historical & normals): https://climate.weather.gc.ca
- Canadian Centre for Climate Services — data, tools, and training: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/climate-change/canadian-centre-climate-services.html
- Natural Resources Canada — Climate change adaptation knowledge portal: https://natural-resources.canada.ca/climate-change/impacts-adaptations/climate-change-adaptation-knowledge-exchange/24224
- Canadian Hurricane Centre — Atlantic tropical weather: https://weather.gc.ca/hurricane/
- Wildfire information (federal portal): https://wildfiresmoke.ca/ and provincial/territorial wildfire agencies
FAQs
- Why does Canada have such different climates?
Large north–south extent, mountain ranges along the west, and three ocean coasts create strong gradients in temperature and precipitation.
- Where are winters the coldest?
The Arctic and northern interior experience the coldest winters; southern Canada is still cold by global standards, but varies by region and proximity to water.
- Why is coastal British Columbia mild?
The Pacific Ocean and prevailing westerlies moderate temperatures; mountains enhance precipitation on windward slopes and create rain-shadowed valleys inland.
- Which regions are driest and wettest?
Some southern Prairie and interior BC locations are among the driest; coastal British Columbia and mountain slopes are among the wettest.
- How do El Niño and La Niña affect Canada?
They can shift typical temperature and precipitation patterns (e.g., milder Pacific winters in some El Niño years, colder/snowier patterns in some La Niña years), but effects vary by region and season.