What the Climate Is Like in Different Regions of Canada

Canada’s moniker as “the Great White North” has given many people the perception that it is a cold, icy place. While that can certainly be true in certain areas and during certain times of the year, it’s really only half the story.

Occupying approximately 3.8 million square miles stretching from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic, Canada is the second-largest country in the world. It’s also one of the most geographically diverse. As such, Canada’s climate has a similarly broad range, from the northernmost territory’s heavy snowfall and frigid temperatures to the warm, rainy weather of those areas surrounding the Rocky Mountains.

It’s important, then, before you start planning a vacation to the Hudson Bay or looking at homes for sale in Vancouver, to educate yourself about what kind of climate you’re likely to encounter

Arctic region

This is the region that gives Canada its chilly reputation. Dominating the north of Canada is a vast, largely unpopulated tundra. There are only two seasons here: a brief three-month “summer,” wherein temperatures climb to just above freezing, and a long, bitter winter whose dark nights often reach as far down as 30 to 40 or even 50 degrees below zero.

Rocky Mountain region

In stark contrast to the uniform cold of the arctic area, the Rocky Mountain region offers highly varied but generally mild climates. It encompasses a large portion of western Canada, notably the southern half of British Columbia, the northern half of the Yukon Territory, and, of course, the Rocky Mountains. Summers range from warm to hot, with more humidity and precipitation along the western slopes while the eastern inland areas experience dryer, cooler temperatures.

West Coast region

Comprising a relatively small sliver of land bordering the Pacific Ocean, Canada’s West Coast has an agreeable “oceanic” climate characterized by sunny summers that are warm rather than hot and rainy winters that rarely see temperatures dip below freezing. The region’s proximity to the westerly wind-belts, meanwhile, accounts for an above-average level of precipitation.

Boreal region

The largest of Canada’s climate areas, the Boreal region covers the majority of Canada’s central landmass. It is also the second-coldest after the Arctic region, with winters reaching the negative-30/40 degree range. However, Boreal summers are some of the hottest in the country, at times reaching close to 90 degrees. This region, therefore, represents the most drastic variance between extremes and, overall, one of the most well-rounded seasonal cycles in Canada.

Prairies region

Similar in many ways to the Boreal region, the Prairies region nevertheless distinguishes itself with more humid, rainy springs and summers that stand in juxtaposition to the overarching dryness of the Boreal region. Despite this, the Prairies generally experience low precipitation in the winter. This region is composed of a stretch of flatland positioned between the Boreal region and the Canadian-U.S. border.

East Coast region

Canada’s East Coast comprises those portions of land near Great Lakes in the south, then reaching up and around to the area neighboring the Atlantic Ocean. This is the part of Canada housing most of the country’s major urban centers, including Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa. The reason for that is simple: precipitation is steady and reliable throughout the year, and the Atlantic Ocean helps moderate the climate, resulting in warm summers and modest winters.

Enjoy your time in Canada!
Stuart Gustafson,
America’s International Travel Expert®