Canada Travel Weather

December - February

Although weather varies across Canada, December to February is cold everywhere. Some places will be a lot colder than others; for example, you will find milder temperatures in coastal cities like Vancouver (winter lows can be as high as 39°F), while Northwest Territories will be blistering cold (winter lows can be as low as -58°F). In other areas like Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, temperatures can drop below -4°F, while in areas like Calgary and Edmonton, they can drop below -40°F. And keep in mind, although Vancouver is significantly warmer during these months in comparison, it will still be pretty cold because humid cold feels a lot colder than it is. Therefore, overall, Canada will be cold all across the nation.

Nevertheless, just because it's cold, doesn't mean winter in Canada won't be amazing. If you're into winter sports, such as skiing or snowboarding, this is the time for you. The Rockies, covered in continuous fresh snow, will leave you enthralled. With endless mountain resorts, you will never be bored with doing the same runs over and over again. The top places to ski and snowboard will be located in the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, such as Whistler, Revelstoke, Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, and many more.

Furthermore, if you know how to skate or if you want to learn, Canada is the place to do it. With awe-inspiring backdrops, you will glide across the ice, surrounded by peaks and valleys, leaving you feeling like you're in a fairy tale.

But if you're not into winter sports, yet still want to experience the magical winter wonderland that is Canada, fear not. Grab a warm hot chocolate drink and walk through Banff city center, exploring the cute town, all the while witnessing gorgeous mountains in the background. Or go for a magical drive through The Rockies, soaking in every breathtaking view. Or tour the beautiful streets of Montreal, covered in fluffy snow, if you happen to be on the opposite end of the country. The possibilities are truly endless.

Regardless of what you choose to do, pack a lot of layers, be well-prepared and bundled up, and you will have nothing to worry about. Winter wonderland awaits.

March - April

March to April, although a bit warmer, can still be quite cold, especially if you're visiting from a warmer country. A lot of places, especially in Alberta will still have a lot of snow. But slowly, rolling into April, it will start to warm up. The province of British Columbia is a lot warmer compared to the rest of Canada, and in the city of Vancouver, you can find temperatures as high as 54°F. However, in other cities, such as Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa, temperatures can still drop below 32°F.

April is a great time to visit if you love growth and new life in the environment. Everything is turning lush and many festivals are celebrating this transition from winter to spring. A really popular one is the Cherry Blossom (Vancouver) which runs all of April. The beautiful bursts of pink cover the entire city with over 40,000 trees. But even if you're not visiting Vancouver, you will be able to witness cherry blossom beauty in Victoria, Edmonton, Toronto, Montreal, and Ottawa, as well as other regions.

Since March to April is still early spring, you will be able to enjoy the exuberant greenery and pink flowers without crazy crowds. Hence, you will be able to find great deals and lower prices for travel and accommodation all around.

May

Canada starts to warm up in most parts of the country during May. Spring is blooming, and the end of winter is starting to excite Canadians. But keep in mind that the prime of spring is often rainy, so it's important to layer up and bring an umbrella and sturdy rain boots. And in the evenings and night, it can be chilly so be prepared for that as well.

If the rain and chilly weather doesn't bother you, it is a great time to visit as the festival season is in full bloom. For example, Canadian Tulip Festival (Ottawa) and the Annapolis Apple Blossom Festival (Nova Scotia) are two popular ones to check out if you're in those cities.

Canadians will also be in much higher spirits as longer, warmer days are finally here. Although winter is great, change is always welcome. By visiting in May, you will get decent weather, but you will also avoid peak season by just a short distance.

June - August

June to August is the warmest time of the year, all across the country, which is why the entire country is bustling. Toronto sees temperatures ranging from 68°F to 95°F, while Vancouver sees temperatures around 64°F to 81°F, and anywhere you go, you will find something to do that fits your interests.

For nature lovers, you can enjoy hiking in the Canadian Rockies or you can rent a canoe/kayak and explore the stunning lakes of Canada. You will not want to miss the gorgeous turquoise colors of Lake Louise and Moraine Lake located in Banff National Park. These are also the best months to go camping as the warm, long days are just perfect for it. Enjoy the starry nights and roast marshmallows on a cozy fire.

Since summer is so short-lived, everywhere will be filled with exciting events including Carnivale, Canadian National Exhibition, and Pride Parade. All these events are located in Toronto, but no matter where you go, you will find great music and food.

Another famous event is the Calgary Stampede. It is one of the most popular events in Canada. People from all over the world specifically come to attend this festival. It is filled with concerts, rides, food, entertainment, and much more. You will get the opportunity to unleash your inner cowboy.

You will also get the chance to walk on beaches and lay in the sun and soak it all in. Whether you're in Vancouver or Victoria or wherever else you can see the ocean, you will be hypnotized.

But keep in mind that because it's the warmest time of the year, it will also be the busiest. No matter where you travel to, whether it's the mountains or the beaches or festivals, you will be met with large crowds. This also means a high cost for everything.

If summer is when you're visiting, plan far ahead as accommodations in most places get booked up fast as Canadians also take this time to travel locally.

September - October

The weather during September and October varies across the country, but you can expect cooling temperatures throughout the season. In Toronto, temperatures can average around 61°F, while in Calgary they can be around 41°F, depending on the day. You may also witness some really warm days that will feel like summer, especially in early September.

But regardless of the temperatures, this time is well worth it as fall in Canada is a truly spectacular sight. The colors will leave you breathless. The mountains, the cities, everything is unreal during these months. From a luscious green to a complete transformation, adding yellows, oranges, and reds you must see.

Another incredible reason to come to Canada during this time is to witness the beauty of golden larches. But what are larches and why are they special? The alpine or tamarack larch is a needle-laden tree. During spring and summer, the alpine larch is a rather unremarkable site; however, come fall, this tree begins its dazzling transformation, from verdant green to stunning gold.

However, this stunning gold only lasts a few weeks. From late September to the start of October. And then, the tree sheds its needles, leaving all of its branches bare over winter. Soon after winter, with spring's arrival, new growth starts, and the larch grows green again. And the cycle continues. This is why the race to see the golden larches in Western Canada is crazy. People start looking out for them, waiting for them to be in full bloom and not missing the window before wind and snow ruin the party.

If you're in Canada during Larch Season, you will forever be in awe. Witnessing the golden glow is well worth the effort. But even if you can't time your trip to see the larches, no worries. The region's gilded landscapes and impossibly blue lakes will be swathed in fall colors.

November

The weather in November is basically winter or at least the early stages of winter. Some provinces, such as Ontario experience milder cold, while Alberta can go into full winter on a whim. Hence, the weather in November varies significantly across the nation. It is also very unpredictable. It may be cold or it may be a blizzard and there's no warning for it and that's because November is a transitionary period from fall to winter, so the weather can be mild or very cold.

If winter comes early, this is great for ski season. Yet, if it doesn't then you just have to miss out on that opportunity. A lot of ski resorts, especially in Alberta, open in November, but with limited lifts, and not-so-great conditions because November can be incredibly cold (temperatures range from 32°F to 14°F), but not snowy enough.

If you have your trip planned during this time, bring lots of layers and be open-minded for a change of plans based on the weather! As long as you're comfortable with change, you'll be fine. After all, you cannot go wrong with visiting Canada at any time of the year.