Calgary, a city located in southern Alberta, Canada, is known for its harsh winter weather. In this blog post, we’ll explore the truth about Calgary’s controversial climate and answer some common questions like Is winter really that bad in Calgary? What are Chinooks? Should you be concerned about hail? And, how long is the warm season?
Calgary’s winters can certainly feel long and cold, especially for those coming from warmer or more humid climates. The cold season typically runs from November to February, with the first snowfall generally happening in late October. The first few snowfalls typically don’t stick around very long as Calgary is known for large temperature swings, and the average daily low for October is zero degrees, dropping down to negative eight in November, negative 12 in December, and negative 14 in January, the coldest month. The coldest day on record in Calgary was a chilly minus 43 back in 1943. However, extreme temperatures like this don’t stick around very long and are generally happening during the night time.
Calgary is susceptible to Chinook Winds, which can bring massive temperature shifts in as little as 24-hour periods. These winds can often feel like a blessing during those cold winter months as temperatures can shift by over 30 degrees. However, with the temperature changes, some believe this actually causes headaches, although this has been scientifically debunked. Additionally, the air in Calgary is quite dry, and it can be very noticeable if you’re coming from a more humid climate. During the winter months, it is recommended to have a humidifier in your home to combat the dry air. The concern with the dry air, if you’re not used to it, is that it can actually cause quite a strain on your sinuses and an extreme event can even cause nosebleeds.
Calgary is also known as the sunniest major city in Canada, with over 330 days of sunlight year-round. This means even though it can be cold, and the ground is covered in snow, at least the sun will be shining, which in my opinion actually makes quite a huge difference during those cold winter months. Winter ends on March 20th, and that’s when the daily averages start to sit around zero degrees, and daily highs will reach as high as plus 18 during this time.
The weather will gradually start to get warmer and warmer throughout the spring months and then it’ll peak through June to August as this is the warmest part of the year in Calgary with temperatures floating around the mid-20s to low 30s during this time. The summer months are also when the city sees the most rainy days with 13 to 17 days on average per month. However, it is still not very humid even during the summer, and the sun doesn’t set until around 10 pm, giving you plenty of extra hours to enjoy the warmth and the day.
You might have heard stories of the hail and damage it has caused in the past. It is true that hail can be a concern in Calgary, but it is not as common as some might think. In fact, Calgary only sees an average of 8 to 10 hail days per year, and most of the hailstones are relatively small.
In conclusion, while Calgary’s winters can be long and cold, the city’s weather is far from consistent. With large temperature swings, Chinooks, and plenty of sunny days, there’s always something to look forward to in Calgary. So, if you’re considering moving to Calgary or taking a trip to see the Rocky Mountains, don’t let the winter weather scare you off. The summer months more than make up for it, and there’s plenty to see and do year-round.
