Geography of Halifax, Nova Scotia

The Halifax Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia, Canada has a widely varied geography.

Physical geography

Musquodoboit Valley

Halifax Regional Municipality is geographically large. At 5,475.57 km2 (2,114.13 sq mi) of total landmass, the maximum north-south distance of the municipality is approximately 60 km (37 mi) while its maximum east-west distance is approximately 165 km (103 mi). Travel along its shoreline by road between its southwesterly point in Hubbards to its north easterly point in Ecum Secum is approximately 204 km (127 mi).

The topography of Halifax varies as its size suggests. It has over 400 km (250 mi) of coastline with many sandy beaches and features many coves and inlets.[1] Inland contains vasts forests featuring many drumlins and low hills.[2] The highest point within the municipality is Blue Mountain Summit in Hammonds Plains at 244 m (801 ft). The Musquodoboit Valley subregion includes over 714 km2 (276 sq mi) of fertile agricultural land.[3]

There are many peninsulas along the coast of Halifax Regional Municipality. At the western portion of the municipality, the Chebucto Peninsula is formed by the indentations of the Bedford Basin, Halifax Harbour, and Saint Margaret's Bay. Within Halifax Harbour, the Halifax Peninsula forms a sub-peninsula.

Natural bays and harbours are throughout Halifax. Cow Bay, Saint Margaret's Bay, and Terrance Bay are the major bays. Beaver Harbour, Cole Harbour, Halifax Harbour, Indian Harbour, Jeddore Harbour, Ketch Harbour, Little Harbour, Musquodoboit Harbour, Pleasant Harbour, Popes Harbour, Prospect Harbour, Sambro Harbour, Sheet Harbour, and Ship Harbour are the major harbours.

Over twenty rivers flow through Halifax.[4] The Chezzetcook, Musquodoboit,[5] and Sackville[6] rivers combined are over 125 km (78 mi) in length.

Despite being located 290 km (180 mi) southeast of Halifax Regional Municipality,[7] Sable Island is part of the Halifax Regional Municipality. There are many hundreds of islands offshore of Halifax Regional Municipality. 100 Islands Wilderness off the coast of the eastern portion Halifax Regional Municipality contains 282 islands over an area of approximately 18,615 ha (46,000 acres) of which approximately 2,832 ha (7,000 acres) is land.[8]

Urban geography

Halifax Harbour from the air looking South including the Halifax Peninsula, Dartmouth, and Bedford

Halifax contains a population centre which is built on a series of hills and plateaus which surround Halifax Harbour and is composed of numerous communities-and-neighbourhoods. The community of Halifax lies on its namesake peninsula. Across the harbour from Halifax is Dartmouth with its defining geographic feature being a series of glacial lakes. To the north of the Bedford Basin is the community of Bedford. The approximate eastern, northern, and western extremities of the built-up area are East Preston, Middle Sackville, and Timberlea.

There are many urban communities-and-environs which make up the urban fabric of Halifax. As of the 2021 Census, the built-up area consists of 238.29 km2 (92.00 sq mi) of landmass, has 162,336 dwellings, and is home to 348,634 people.[9] Compared to the 2016 Census, the urban land area increased by 3.57 km2 (1.38 sq mi).

Climate

Halifax is marked by a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), but the area climate is heavily influenced by water temperatures in the adjacent Atlantic Ocean. Weather is somewhat unpredictable as there are numerous local microclimates.

Commonly, average air temperatures drop to −10 °C (14 °F) in January, and exceed 25 °C (77 °F) in July.[10] Precipitation stands at approximately 1,500 millimetres (59.1 in) annually, and is somewhat heavy year-round, though summer is drier.[11]

Between November through April, winter snow alternately falls-and-melts - for a seasonal total of approximately 150 centimetres (59 in).[12] Some, but usually very little, snow falls in May and October.[12] Halifax usually experiences several strong winter storms. A blizzard in February of 2004 had sustained winds in excess of 120 km/h (75 mph), produced wind gusts over 140 km/h (87 mph), and precipitated 95 centimetres (37 in) of snow. This storm was nicknamed "White Juan", as it was recently after Hurricane Juan in September of 2003.

Spring is cool and foggy. Between March and May, roughly 350 millimetres (13.8 in) of precipitation is produced which is an average amount for Halifax.[13]

Summer can range from hot and dry to cool and rainy. Hurricanes are fairly uncommon but do occur occasionally. There can be considerable variations between the weather near the Atlantic Ocean and the weather even several kilometres inland. This is partly caused by the effect of the Labrador Current, which transfers cold water from the Arctic along Nova Scotia's Atlantic coast in the spring and summer, while the Gulf Stream brings warmer water from the Gulf of Mexico along the coast during the fall and winter.

Autumn is often sunny and warm. Temperatures commonly reach 20 °C (68 °F) during daytime during September.[14]

The Halifax Regional Municipality is home to 6 weather stations operated by the Meteorological Service of Canada:

Halifax
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
151
 
 
0
−9
 
 
114
 
 
0
−8
 
 
134
 
 
4
−4
 
 
121
 
 
8
1
 
 
119
 
 
14
6
 
 
108
 
 
19
11
 
 
106
 
 
23
14
 
 
98
 
 
23
15
 
 
107
 
 
19
11
 
 
135
 
 
13
6
 
 
154
 
 
8
1
 
 
160
 
 
3
−5
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm
Source: Environment Canada [12]
Imperial conversion
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
5.9
 
 
32
17
 
 
4.5
 
 
32
17
 
 
5.3
 
 
38
24
 
 
4.8
 
 
47
33
 
 
4.7
 
 
57
42
 
 
4.3
 
 
67
51
 
 
4.2
 
 
73
58
 
 
3.9
 
 
73
59
 
 
4.2
 
 
66
53
 
 
5.3
 
 
56
43
 
 
6.1
 
 
46
34
 
 
6.3
 
 
37
23
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Climate data for Halifax (Citadel Hill)
Climate ID: 8202220; coordinates 44°39′N 63°35′W / 44.650°N 63.583°W / 44.650; -63.583 (Citadel Hill); elevation: 70.1 m (230 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1863–present[a]
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 14.0
(57.2) 		16.0
(60.8) 		28.2
(82.8) 		28.3
(82.9) 		33.3
(91.9) 		35.3
(95.5) 		37.2
(99.0) 		34.4
(93.9) 		34.6
(94.3) 		31.1
(88.0) 		23.3
(73.9) 		16.7
(62.1) 		37.2
(99.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −0.1
(31.8) 		0.4
(32.7) 		3.6
(38.5) 		8.7
(47.7) 		14.4
(57.9) 		19.6
(67.3) 		23.1
(73.6) 		23.1
(73.6) 		19.3
(66.7) 		13.4
(56.1) 		8.1
(46.6) 		2.8
(37.0) 		11.4
(52.5)
Daily mean °C (°F) −4.1
(24.6) 		−3.6
(25.5) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		4.9
(40.8) 		10.1
(50.2) 		15.2
(59.4) 		18.8
(65.8) 		19.1
(66.4) 		15.5
(59.9) 		9.9
(49.8) 		4.8
(40.6) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		7.5
(45.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −8.2
(17.2) 		−7.5
(18.5) 		−3.9
(25.0) 		1.0
(33.8) 		5.8
(42.4) 		10.7
(51.3) 		14.4
(57.9) 		15.1
(59.2) 		11.8
(53.2) 		6.4
(43.5) 		1.5
(34.7) 		−4.3
(24.3) 		3.6
(38.5)
Record low °C (°F) −27.2
(−17.0) 		−29.4
(−20.9) 		−23.3
(−9.9) 		−13.9
(7.0) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		0.0
(32.0) 		4.4
(39.9) 		3.9
(39.0) 		−1.7
(28.9) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−15.6
(3.9) 		−25.6
(−14.1) 		−29.4
(−20.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 139.7
(5.50) 		110.1
(4.33) 		132.5
(5.22) 		118.3
(4.66) 		119.1
(4.69) 		111.8
(4.40) 		110.3
(4.34) 		96.4
(3.80) 		108.9
(4.29) 		124.3
(4.89) 		151.4
(5.96) 		145.1
(5.71) 		1,468.1
(57.80)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 96.7
(3.81) 		75.1
(2.96) 		101.3
(3.99) 		111.3
(4.38) 		118.4
(4.66) 		111.8
(4.40) 		110.3
(4.34) 		96.4
(3.80) 		108.9
(4.29) 		124.1
(4.89) 		143.6
(5.65) 		115.9
(4.56) 		1,313.9
(51.73)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 43.1
(17.0) 		35.0
(13.8) 		31.2
(12.3) 		7.0
(2.8) 		0.8
(0.3) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.1
(0.0) 		7.8
(3.1) 		29.2
(11.5) 		154.2
(60.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 13.8 11.6 13.1 15.2 15.8 13.6 12.1 11.1 11.7 14.1 15.3 14.5 161.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 8.5 6.5 10.2 14.1 15.7 13.6 12.1 11.1 11.7 14.1 14.5 10.8 142.7
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 6.8 6.1 4.1 1.6 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.2 5.2 25.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 109.5 127.2 142.8 156.6 193.3 220.7 235.2 226.6 180.5 157.8 107.4 105.2 1,962.5
Percentage possible sunshine 38.2 43.3 38.7 38.8 42.1 47.5 49.9 52.1 47.9 46.2 37.2 38.2 43.3
Average ultraviolet index 1 2 3 5 6 8 8 7 5 3 2 1 4
Source 1: Environment and Climate Change Canada (Sunshine data recorded at CFB Shearwater)[12][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]
Source 2: Nova Scotian Institute of Science[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] and Weather Atlas[31]
Climate data for Halifax Stanfield International Airport
WMO ID: 71395; coordinates 44°52′48″N 63°30′00″W / 44.88000°N 63.50000°W / 44.88000; -63.50000 (Halifax Stanfield International Airport); elevation: 145.4 m (477 ft); 1991−2020 normals, extremes 1953−present
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high humidex 18.8 18.3 29.3 32.1 36.0 42.0 42.4 41.9 42.1 33.0 25.4 20.9 42.4
Record high °C (°F) 14.8
(58.6) 		17.5
(63.5) 		27.2
(81.0) 		29.5
(85.1) 		32.8
(91.0) 		34.3
(93.7) 		33.9
(93.0) 		35.0
(95.0) 		34.2
(93.6) 		29.4
(84.9) 		21.5
(70.7) 		16.6
(61.9) 		35.0
(95.0)
Mean maximum °C (°F) 9.6
(49.3) 		9.0
(48.2) 		12.3
(54.1) 		17.7
(63.9) 		24.2
(75.6) 		28.0
(82.4) 		29.5
(85.1) 		29.0
(84.2) 		26.7
(80.1) 		21.5
(70.7) 		16.4
(61.5) 		12.3
(54.1) 		31.0
(87.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) −1.2
(29.8) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		3.5
(38.3) 		9.2
(48.6) 		15.5
(59.9) 		20.5
(68.9) 		24.2
(75.6) 		24.2
(75.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		13.7
(56.7) 		7.6
(45.7) 		2.1
(35.8) 		11.6
(52.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) −5.7
(21.7) 		−5.2
(22.6) 		−0.9
(30.4) 		4.5
(40.1) 		10.1
(50.2) 		15.2
(59.4) 		19.2
(66.6) 		19.2
(66.6) 		15.2
(59.4) 		9.2
(48.6) 		3.8
(38.8) 		−1.9
(28.6) 		6.9
(44.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) −10.1
(13.8) 		−9.7
(14.5) 		−5.4
(22.3) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		4.6
(40.3) 		9.8
(49.6) 		14.2
(57.6) 		14.1
(57.4) 		10.2
(50.4) 		4.7
(40.5) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−5.8
(21.6) 		2.2
(36.0)
Mean minimum °C (°F) −17.9
(−0.2) 		−17.4
(0.7) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−4.9
(23.2) 		0.6
(33.1) 		5.3
(41.5) 		10.5
(50.9) 		10.3
(50.5) 		5.0
(41.0) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		−6.2
(20.8) 		−12.9
(8.8) 		−19.2
(−2.6)
Record low °C (°F) −28.5
(−19.3) 		−27.3
(−17.1) 		−22.4
(−8.3) 		−12.8
(9.0) 		−4.4
(24.1) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		6.1
(43.0) 		4.4
(39.9) 		−0.8
(30.6) 		−6.7
(19.9) 		−13.1
(8.4) 		−23.3
(−9.9) 		−28.5
(−19.3)
Record low wind chill −40.4 −41.1 −33.9 −24.4 −10.6 −4.0 0.0 0.0 −3.0 −10.1 −23.9 −35.6 −41.1
Average precipitation mm (inches) 125.9
(4.96) 		111.0
(4.37) 		120.2
(4.73) 		106.4
(4.19) 		109.7
(4.32) 		89.8
(3.54) 		86.7
(3.41) 		90.5
(3.56) 		107.3
(4.22) 		139.8
(5.50) 		159.1
(6.26) 		146.9
(5.78) 		1,393.3
(54.85)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 78.6
(3.09) 		70.7
(2.78) 		89.0
(3.50) 		90.4
(3.56) 		108.2
(4.26) 		89.8
(3.54) 		86.7
(3.41) 		90.5
(3.56) 		107.3
(4.22) 		139.2
(5.48) 		145.4
(5.72) 		106.8
(4.20) 		1,202.4
(47.34)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 53.9
(21.2) 		44.3
(17.4) 		34.4
(13.5) 		16.6
(6.5) 		2.1
(0.8) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.0
(0.0) 		0.6
(0.2) 		19.4
(7.6) 		44.1
(17.4) 		215.2
(84.7)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) 18.7 15.2 14.6 14.6 13.5 12.2 11.0 10.8 10.1 12.8 14.6 16.9 164.8
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) 8.0 6.2 8.7 12.0 13.1 12.2 11.0 10.8 10.1 12.8 12.5 9.8 127.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) 14.4 12.1 8.8 5.3 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 3.7 11.0 56.0
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST) 74.1 67.7 63.9 61.4 60.8 62.0 63.3 62.2 64.5 67.5 73.6 77.0 66.5
Average dew point °C (°F) −6.9
(19.6) 		−7.1
(19.2) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−0.2
(31.6) 		4.9
(40.8) 		10.2
(50.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		14.9
(58.8) 		11.9
(53.4) 		6.5
(43.7) 		1.6
(34.9) 		−3.1
(26.4) 		3.6
(38.5)
Source 1: Environment and Climate Change Canada[32][33][34][35]
Source 2: weatherstats.ca (for dewpoint and monthly&yearly average absolute maximum&minimum temperature)[36]


Notes

  1. ^ Based on station coordinates provided by Environment Canada and documentation from the Nova Scotian Institute of Science, weather data was collected in West End, Halifax from January 1863 to July 1933, at Citadel Hill from August 1933 to August 1939, at Downtown Halifax from September 1939 to July 1974, at Citadel Hill from August 1974 to January 2002 and at CFB Halifax (Windsor Park and Halifax Dockyard) from September 2004 to present.

References

  1. ^ "INTRODUCTION" (PDF). Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  2. ^ The Government of Nova Scotia (2021). "Stop 1: Halifax Harbour and the Atlantic Uplands". The Government of Nova Scotia. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  3. ^ Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia (2026). "The Valley".
  4. ^ The Government of the Halifax Regional Municipality (10 November 2025). "Lakes and Rivers". Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  5. ^ Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia (2026). "The River". easternshorens.ca. Eastern Shore, Nova Scotia. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  6. ^ The Sackville Rivers Association (28 November 2008). "Governors Brook / Nine Mile River Compensation/ Restoration Project As Built Report 2006 Monitoring Reports 2006-2008" (PDF). p. 4. Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  7. ^ The Government of Canada. "Sable Island maps". Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  8. ^ "100 Wild Islands - Frequently Asked Questions". 2018. Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  9. ^ Statistics Canada (10 December 2025). "Census Profile, 2021 Census of Population, Profile table: HalifaxMore information: Nova Scotia [Population centre]". Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  10. ^ The Government of canada (15 October 2025). "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data". Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  11. ^ The Government of canada (15 October 2025). "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data". Retrieved 26 January 2026.
  12. ^ a b c d "Halifax Citadel, Nova Scotia". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  13. ^ The Government of Canada (15 October 2025). "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data: Temperature and Precipitation Graph for 1991 to 2020 Canadian Climate Normals HALIFAX STANFIELD (AIRPORT)". Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  14. ^ The Government of Canada (15 October 2025). "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data: Temperature and Precipitation Graph for 1991 to 2020 Canadian Climate Normals HALIFAX STANFIELD (AIRPORT)". Retrieved 27 January 2026.
  15. ^ Station 44258 - Halifax Harbour
  16. ^ "Shearwater A, Nova Scotia". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
  17. ^ "Monthly Data Report for 1871". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  18. ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1930". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  19. ^ "Monthly Data Report for 1939". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  20. ^ "Daily Data Report for April 1945". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Retrieved 14 May 2016.
  21. ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2024". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  22. ^ "Halifax Dockyard". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2016.
  23. ^ "Abstract of Meteorological register, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1863" (PDF). Myers, W. J. (1867). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1867. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  24. ^ "Meteorological register, 1864" (PDF). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1867. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  25. ^ "Abstract of Meteorological register, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1865" (PDF). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1867. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  26. ^ "Abstract of Meteorological register, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1866" (PDF). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1867. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  27. ^ "Meteorological record, Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1867" (PDF). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1868. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  28. ^ "Meteorological summary, 1868" (PDF). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1869. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  29. ^ "On the meteorology of Halifax, 1870" (PDF). Allison, F. (1871). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1871. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  30. ^ "On the meteorology of Halifax, 1871" (PDF). Allison, F. (1872). Nova Scotian Institute of Science. 1872. Retrieved 4 September 2016.
  31. ^ "Halifax, Canada - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved 2019-07-06.
  32. ^ "Halifax Stanfield (Airport)". Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  33. ^ "Daily Data Report for November 2022". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2024". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  35. ^ "Daily Data Report for October 2025". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved 23 November 2025.
  36. ^ "Halifax". List of charts for Halifax. weatherstats.ca. February 7, 2026. Retrieved February 7, 2026.
allikas: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Halifax,_Nova_Scotia