Canada is the second-largest country in the world, and its climate is quite diverse depending on the region in question. Canada is bordered by three oceans, and their currents influence the country’s climate, as do the Rocky Mountains, which block the westward oceanic winds. Within the country, the Great Lakes create a more humid and mild climate in southern Ontario and Quebec. In the east, the cold Labrador Current meets the warm Gulf Stream along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, cooling the air and causing fog in this area.
Two-thirds of the northern territories have a climate similar to that of Scandinavian countries, with very cold winters and short cool summers. In the central and southern regions, the interior plains exhibit a typical continental climate: very cold winters, hot summers, and relatively low precipitation. In southern Ontario and Quebec, summers are humid and hot, and winters are cold and snowy, which is generally true across Canada, except for the west coast. The average air temperature in Canada during winter is -5°C, while in summer it is +2°C.
Alberta
Alberta has a moderate continental climate, meaning summers here are warm (air temperature in some parts of the province can reach +32°C) and humid, while winters are cold (down to -54°C), dry, and sunny.
This province proudly holds the title of one of the sunniest in Canada: during summer, the sun shines for up to 18 hours a day. Nevertheless, precipitation is also a common guest, and tornadoes can even occur from time to time.
British Columbia
In the coastal part of this province, the climate is mild and humid due to the warm Kuroshio ocean current. The continental part of the province, however, has a predominantly subarctic continental climate with very little precipitation.
Winters on the coast of the province are considered the warmest in all of Canada, as the Rocky Mountains block cold air from the Arctic. However, in the northern part of British Columbia, winters are very harsh. It is here, in Smith River, that one of the lowest air temperatures in all of North America was recorded: -58°C. Summers are usually warm and dry, with frequent forest fires.
Manitoba
Manitoba has a continental climate with sharp seasonal temperature swings, reminiscent of the climate in the southern part of Western Siberia. This region is characterized by long and extremely cold winters (winter air temperatures can drop to -40°C) and short warm, humid summers with an average temperature of +20°C. Interestingly, tornadoes occasionally occur here in summer, causing significant damage to the province's residents.
New Brunswick
The northern part of the province exhibits a typically continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. Further south, the climate is milder due to the influence of ocean currents; winters are warmer here, while summers are cooler. In some areas of the province, summer temperatures reach +30°C, while winter temperatures drop to -3°C.
In spring and early summer, fog is quite common along the Bay of Fundy, and precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year.
Newfoundland and Labrador
The climate in this province can undoubtedly be described as harsh. This is mainly due to the entire island falling within the subarctic zone. Much of the province is covered by taiga and tundra.
Newfoundland and Labrador experiences cold winters and cool summers. Average temperature in July ranges from +5°C to +15°C, while in January the mercury drops to between -7°C and -18°C. In southern Newfoundland, winter temperatures rarely drop below 0°C, but in western Labrador, temperatures below -40°C are common. The southern part of the island sees heavy precipitation and frequent fogs.
Northwest Territories
Here, the climate is subarctic, characterized by prolonged cold winters, with January temperatures dipping to -28°C, but summers can be hotter than in Hawaii, with a record maximum temperature of +39.4°C recorded here. Despite the harsh climate, spring and summer can provide sunshine, and from November to April, the Northern Lights can be seen.
Nova Scotia
Most of this province is surrounded by water; however, the climate here is moderate, closer to a continental climate. Very hot or very cold temperatures are rare, and daytime temperatures vary significantly based on the time of day and proximity to the ocean.
The weather here changes frequently, with fogs and storms being common. Due to warm ocean currents, Nova Scotia is the warmest province in Canada: the lowest winter temperature reaches -9°C.
Nunavut
The territory of this province is entirely within the arctic and subarctic zones, making the local climate undeniably harsh. To the north, the province is bordered by the Arctic Ocean, while Greenland lies to the east. Winters here are long and cold, with an average January temperature of -35°C. Summers are short and cool, with July temperatures not exceeding +10°C. As Nunavut is an arctic desert, precipitation is extremely rare and occurs mainly as snow. Almost the entire province lies within the permafrost zone.
Ontario
Being a large province, Ontario encompasses several climate zones. The southern part of the province has a mild and humid climate due to the proximity of the Great Lakes, resulting in relatively warm winters and autumns. Central and Eastern Ontario experience a moderately humid continental climate, with warm summers but colder winters compared to the southern part of the province. Northern Ontario has a subarctic climate with long, very cold winters and short, cool summers. Sharp temperature fluctuations are common here.
The average winter temperature in the province is +5°C, while in summer it is +23°C. Much of the province is covered by forests.
Prince Edward Island
On Prince Edward Island, the climate is humid continental, with moderately cold winters and warm humid summers. From December to April, blizzards and storms frequently occur, while from May to November, rain is common. The territory is surrounded by the ocean, so the weather here is quite variable.
The start of the season here arrives later than in the continental part of the country. This is due to the warm air masses prevailing in the fall and early winter, which are replaced by cooler ones in spring and summer. In summer, temperatures can rise to +35°C, while in winter they rarely drop below -10°C.
Quebec
Most of central Quebec has a subarctic climate. It is perfect for winter sports enthusiasts and those who enjoy cold summers. Winters are long, very cold, and snowy, being among the coldest in eastern Canada, while summers are warm but very short. In the southern part of the province, the climate is humid continental, characterized by mild summers and long cold winters.
Depending on the part of the province, summer temperatures range from +5°C to +25°C, while winter temperatures can vary from -10°C to -25°C. On average, the province receives about 1190 mm of precipitation per year, making rain a common occurrence here. This is one of the reasons why Quebec has so much lush green vegetation.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is one of the coldest regions in Canada. This is due to its distance from warm ocean air masses. The central part of the province has a predominantly continental climate; in the south, it has a semi-arid steppe climate, while the northern part has a subarctic climate. The temperature range here is enormous, from -40°C in winter to +35°C in summer. Snowfall begins in November, and it's possible to see the Northern Lights. Spring begins in April, and summers in Saskatchewan are usually warm and dry, but nights can be quite cool.
Yukon
This area has a subarctic climate characterized by cold long winters and short warm summers filled with white nights. In winter, air temperatures can reach -50°C, but locals say it isn't so bad due to the low amount of precipitation, and the cold “doesn't bite to the bone.” Despite the short summer season, temperatures can occasionally rise to +35°C.
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