Calgary has a semi-monsoonal humid continental climate (Koppen: Dwb, Trewartha: Dclo bordering Dcbo), with warm, wet summers summers and cold, dry, but highly variable winters.[1] The city has an average temperature range from 16.9 °C (62.4 °F) in July to −7.6 °C (18.3 °F) in January. Average temperatures in Springbank Airport (slightly west of Calgary) range from 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) in July to −8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in January.[2] The record high temperature is 36.7 °C (98.1 °F), held on August 10, 2018,[3] and the record low temperature is −45.0 °C (−49.0 °F), held on February 4, 1893.[4] However, in recent years, due to climate change, yearly low temperatures usually hover between −25 °C (−13 °F) and −36 °C (−33 °F).[5]
Winters are cold, and the air temperature drops to or below −20 °C (−4 °F) for 22 days of the year on average, and as low as −30 °C (−22 °F) for 3.7 days of the year on average. These temperatures are frequently broken up by warm, dry chinook winds that blow into Alberta over the mountains. These winds can raise the winter temperature by 20 °C (36 °F), and as much as 30 °C (54 °F) in just a few hours, which may last several days.[6] Calgary's proximity to the Rocky Mountains also affects winter temperatures with a mixture of lows and highs, and tends to result in a mild winter for a city in the Prairie Provinces. Temperatures are also affected by the wind chill factor; Calgary's average wind speed is 14.2 km/h (8.8 mph), one of the highest in Canadian cities.[7] In the summer, daytime temperatures range from 10 to 25 °C (50 to 77 °F) and exceed 30 °C (86 °F) for an average of 5.1 days in June, July, and August, and occasionally as late as September or as early as May. As a consequence of Calgary's high elevation and aridity, summer days are often not humid, unlike many other major cities in Canada. Summer evenings also tend to cool off, with monthly average low temperatures reaching 9 to 10 °C (48 to 50 °F) throughout the summer months.[2]
| Climatic scheme | Initials | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Köppen system | Dwb | Warm-summer semi-monsoonal humid continental climate |
| Trewartha system | Dclo | Warm-summer continental climate |
The wettest month is June with an average precipitation of 112.7 millimetres (4.44 in), while the driest month is January with an average precipitation of 10.0 millimetres (0.39 in).[4] Calgary International Airport in the northeastern section of the city receives an average of 418.8 mm (16.49 in) of precipitation annually, with 326.4 mm (12.85 in) of that occurring in the form of rain, and 128.8 cm (50.7 in) as snow. The most rainfall occurs in June and the most snowfall in March.[2] Calgary has also recorded snow every month of the year.[8] It last snowed in July on July 15, 1999.[9] The relatively low amount of precipitation in Calgary, when compared to other cities like Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal, also gives Calgary a climate close to a cool semi-arid climate (Koppen: BSk, Trewartha: BSlo bordering Bsbo).[10][11]
Thunderstorms can be frequent and sometimes severe,[12] with most of them occurring in the summer months. Calgary lies within Alberta's Hailstorm Alley and is prone to damaging hailstorms every few years. A hailstorm that struck Calgary on September 7, 1991, was one of the most destructive natural disasters in Canadian history, with over $400 million in damage.[13] Being west of the dry line on most occasions, tornadoes are rare in the region.
Calgary has the sunniest days year-round of Canada's 100 largest cities, with slightly over 332 days of sun; it has on average 2,396 hours of sunshine annually, with an average relative humidity of 55% in the winter and 45% in the summer (15:00 MST).[2]
Calgary falls into the NRC Plant Hardiness Zone 4a[14] and USDA zone 4a,[15] but within recent years falls under USDA zones 4b or 5a, as unlike NRC zones, USDA zones are solely based on low temperature.[16] An exception to this recent trend is in the year 2024, which, if calculated by itself, would equate to a USDA zone 3b as it reached −36.2 °C (−33.2 °F) that year.[17]
Calgary has a short growing season, lasting 115 days between May 23 and September 15 on average.[18]
On November 15, 2021, Calgary City Council voted to declare a climate emergency. A climate emergency declaration is a resolution passed by a governing body such as a city council. It puts the local government on record in support of emergency action to respond to climate change and recognizes the pace and scale of action needed.[19]
Data
| Climate data for Calgary (Calgary International Airport) WMO ID: 71877; coordinates 51°06′50″N 114°01′13″W / 51.11389°N 114.02028°W; elevation: 1,084.1 m (3,557 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1881–present[a] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 17.3 | 21.9 | 25.2 | 27.2 | 31.6 | 37.0 | 36.9 | 36.4 | 32.9 | 28.7 | 22.6 | 19.4 | 37.0 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 17.6 (63.7) |
22.6 (72.7) |
25.4 (77.7) |
29.4 (84.9) |
32.4 (90.3) |
36.3 (97.3) |
36.3 (97.3) |
36.7 (98.1) |
33.3 (91.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
23.1 (73.6) |
19.5 (67.1) |
36.7 (98.1) |
| Mean maximum °C (°F) | 9 (48) |
10 (50) |
15 (59) |
22 (72) |
26 (79) |
27 (81) |
31 (88) |
31 (88) |
28 (82) |
22 (72) |
14 (57) |
8 (46) |
32.5 (90.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.5 (29.3) |
0.1 (32.2) |
3.8 (38.8) |
10.8 (51.4) |
16.4 (61.5) |
19.7 (67.5) |
23.5 (74.3) |
23.1 (73.6) |
18.3 (64.9) |
11.1 (52.0) |
4.1 (39.4) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
10.8 (51.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −7.6 (18.3) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
4.5 (40.1) |
9.9 (49.8) |
13.7 (56.7) |
16.9 (62.4) |
16.2 (61.2) |
11.5 (52.7) |
4.9 (40.8) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−6.3 (20.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −13.5 (7.7) |
−11.8 (10.8) |
−8.1 (17.4) |
−1.9 (28.6) |
3.4 (38.1) |
7.7 (45.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
9.2 (48.6) |
4.7 (40.5) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
−7.5 (18.5) |
−12.1 (10.2) |
−1.8 (28.8) |
| Mean minimum °C (°F) | −29 (−20) |
−24 (−11) |
−21 (−6) |
−10 (14) |
−3 (27) |
2 (36) |
5 (41) |
3 (37) |
−2 (28) |
−11 (12) |
−19 (−2) |
−25 (−13) |
−31.5 (−24.7) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −44.4 (−47.9) |
−45 (−49) |
−37.2 (−35.0) |
−30 (−22) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−3.2 (26.2) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−25.7 (−14.3) |
−35 (−31) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
−45 (−49) |
| Record low wind chill | −52.1 | −52.6 | −44.7 | −37.1 | −23.7 | −5.8 | 0.0 | −4.1 | −12.5 | −34.3 | −47.9 | −55.1 | −55.1 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 10.0 (0.39) |
11.8 (0.46) |
17.7 (0.70) |
29.6 (1.17) |
61.1 (2.41) |
112.7 (4.44) |
65.7 (2.59) |
53.8 (2.12) |
37.1 (1.46) |
17.1 (0.67) |
16.3 (0.64) |
12.5 (0.49) |
445.4 (17.54) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.1 (0.00) |
0.1 (0.00) |
1.1 (0.04) |
12.6 (0.50) |
52.5 (2.07) |
112.5 (4.43) |
65.7 (2.59) |
53.5 (2.11) |
33.8 (1.33) |
8.3 (0.33) |
1.7 (0.07) |
0.3 (0.01) |
342.2 (13.47) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 16.6 (6.5) |
16.9 (6.7) |
23.8 (9.4) |
22.9 (9.0) |
9.6 (3.8) |
0.2 (0.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
2.2 (0.9) |
11.5 (4.5) |
18.8 (7.4) |
16.3 (6.4) |
138.7 (54.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.4 | 7.8 | 8.8 | 9.8 | 11.1 | 14.5 | 12.9 | 10.4 | 8.3 | 7.8 | 8.0 | 7.2 | 114.0 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.3 | 0.22 | 0.83 | 4.8 | 10.0 | 14.5 | 12.9 | 10.0 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 1.5 | 0.22 | 67.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 7.8 | 7.9 | 9.3 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 0.08 | 0.0 | 0.13 | 0.96 | 4.6 | 7.1 | 7.7 | 55.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 55.7 | 54.7 | 50.2 | 42.7 | 43.8 | 49.2 | 46.8 | 44.3 | 44.3 | 45.3 | 54.2 | 56.3 | 49.0 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 119.5 | 144.6 | 177.2 | 220.2 | 249.4 | 269.9 | 314.1 | 284.0 | 207.0 | 175.4 | 121.1 | 114.0 | 2,396.3 |
| Percentage possible sunshine | 45.6 | 51.3 | 48.2 | 53.1 | 51.8 | 54.6 | 63.1 | 62.9 | 54.4 | 52.7 | 45.0 | 46.0 | 52.4 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada,[20] Meteoblue (for monthly mean minima and maxima),[21] Extreme Weather Watch (for yearly mean minima and maxima),[22][23] and Weather Atlas[24] (for UV index) | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Calgary Olympic Park (Canada Olympic Park) coordinates 51°04′47″N 114°12′57″W / 51.07972°N 114.21583°W; elevation: 1,190 m (3,900 ft); normals 1995-2024 | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 28 | 37 | 41 | 47 | 37 | — | 28 | 0 | 47 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 19.9 (67.8) |
20.7 (69.3) |
23.6 (74.5) |
27.6 (81.7) |
30.5 (86.9) |
36.2 (97.2) |
36.0 (96.8) |
34.5 (94.1) |
32.8 (91.0) |
— | 21.3 (70.3) |
17.6 (63.7) |
36.2 (97.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
3.8 (38.8) |
10.2 (50.4) |
16.0 (60.8) |
19.4 (66.9) |
23.5 (74.3) |
22.9 (73.2) |
17.9 (64.2) |
10.7 (51.3) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
10.5 (50.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −5.5 (22.1) |
−5.3 (22.5) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
4.4 (39.9) |
9.8 (49.6) |
13.5 (56.3) |
17.0 (62.6) |
16.3 (61.3) |
11.7 (53.1) |
5.3 (41.5) |
−1.4 (29.5) |
−5.8 (21.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −10.2 (13.6) |
−10.2 (13.6) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
3.6 (38.5) |
7.6 (45.7) |
10.4 (50.7) |
9.6 (49.3) |
5.5 (41.9) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−10.3 (13.5) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −40.0 (−40.0) |
−32.6 (−26.7) |
−32.2 (−26.0) |
−19.2 (−2.6) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−1.5 (29.3) |
1.3 (34.3) |
0.9 (33.6) |
−8.0 (17.6) |
−19.1 (−2.4) |
−31.4 (−24.5) |
−35.0 (−31.0) |
−40.0 (−40.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −50 | −44 | −39 | −28 | −18 | −4 | 0 | 0 | −13 | −26 | −40 | −46 | −50 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 8.0 (0.31) |
9.2 (0.36) |
13.7 (0.54) |
28.8 (1.13) |
56.7 (2.23) |
99.4 (3.91) |
49.2 (1.94) |
44.3 (1.74) |
33.0 (1.30) |
17.5 (0.69) |
12.4 (0.49) |
10.5 (0.41) |
382.7 (15.05) |
| Source: weatherstats.ca[25] | |||||||||||||
| Climate data for Springbank Hill (Calgary/Springbank Airport) WMO ID: 71860; coordinates 51°06′11″N 114°22′28″W / 51.10306°N 114.37444°W; elevation: 1,200.9 m (3,940 ft); 1981–2010 normals | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 15.7 | 21.3 | 22.9 | 25.7 | 30.6 | 31.9 | 34.1 | 34.0 | 31.0 | 26.4 | 20.5 | 17.1 | 34.1 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 16.5 (61.7) |
22.1 (71.8) |
23.8 (74.8) |
26.5 (79.7) |
33.0 (91.4) |
31.0 (87.8) |
33.8 (92.8) |
32.1 (89.8) |
30.6 (87.1) |
27.1 (80.8) |
20.4 (68.7) |
17.9 (64.2) |
33.8 (92.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −1.8 (28.8) |
0.0 (32.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
10.5 (50.9) |
15.3 (59.5) |
18.8 (65.8) |
22.2 (72.0) |
21.2 (70.2) |
17.0 (62.6) |
11.0 (51.8) |
2.3 (36.1) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
10.0 (50.0) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −8.2 (17.2) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−2.7 (27.1) |
3.4 (38.1) |
8.1 (46.6) |
12.1 (53.8) |
14.8 (58.6) |
13.7 (56.7) |
9.5 (49.1) |
3.9 (39.0) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
−7 (19) |
3.1 (37.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −14.5 (5.9) |
−13.4 (7.9) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
0.9 (33.6) |
5.4 (41.7) |
7.4 (45.3) |
6.2 (43.2) |
1.9 (35.4) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
−9.9 (14.2) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
−3.8 (25.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −42.8 (−45.0) |
−41.6 (−42.9) |
−36.3 (−33.3) |
−21.7 (−7.1) |
−14.1 (6.6) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−9.8 (14.4) |
−29.1 (−20.4) |
−36.5 (−33.7) |
−41.6 (−42.9) |
−42.8 (−45.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −56.0 | −56.0 | −48.0 | −27.0 | −20.0 | −10.0 | −4.0 | −8.0 | −14.0 | −38.0 | −48.0 | −57.0 | −57.0 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9.9 (0.39) |
11.5 (0.45) |
17.6 (0.69) |
25.4 (1.00) |
61.1 (2.41) |
106.7 (4.20) |
66.9 (2.63) |
78.0 (3.07) |
50.3 (1.98) |
16.3 (0.64) |
16.3 (0.64) |
9.8 (0.39) |
469.8 (18.49) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.2 (0.01) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (0.02) |
9.3 (0.37) |
49.5 (1.95) |
106.7 (4.20) |
66.9 (2.63) |
78.0 (3.07) |
45.5 (1.79) |
7.0 (0.28) |
2.4 (0.09) |
0.3 (0.01) |
366.2 (14.42) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 12.7 (5.0) |
14.7 (5.8) |
21.7 (8.5) |
19.0 (7.5) |
12.4 (4.9) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
5.3 (2.1) |
11.6 (4.6) |
17.4 (6.9) |
12.4 (4.9) |
127.3 (50.2) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 5.8 | 5.7 | 7.5 | 8.1 | 11.6 | 14.5 | 12.8 | 12.4 | 9.4 | 7.2 | 6.0 | 5.3 | 106.3 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.48 | 3.5 | 9.7 | 14.5 | 12.8 | 12.3 | 8.8 | 4.3 | 0.91 | 0.23 | 67.73 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 6.0 | 5.9 | 7.6 | 5.8 | 3.0 | 0.0 | 0.09 | 0.05 | 1.4 | 3.9 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 45.0 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 58.6 | 56.0 | 50.3 | 43.3 | 45.7 | 50.8 | 48.2 | 49.2 | 47.8 | 46.5 | 57.1 | 60.4 | 51.2 |
| Source: Environment Canada[26] | |||||||||||||
Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima are from 1995-2025, mean yearly maxima and minima are calculated by average of 1991-2020 records
References
- ^ Szeto, Kit K. (2008). "Variability of Cold-Season Temperatures in the Mackenzie Basin". In Woo, M. (ed.). Cold Region Atmospheric and Hydrologic Studies. The Mackenzie GEWEX Experience. Berlin, Heidelberg.: Springer. pp. 61–82. doi:10.1007/978-3-540-73936-4_4. ISBN 978-3-540-73935-7.
- ^ a b c d "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca. September 25, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for August 2018 - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ^ a b "Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved February 8, 2025.
- ^ "Lowest Temperatures in Calgary by Year". www.extremeweatherwatch.com. Retrieved 2025-02-12.
- ^ Ward Cameron. "Learn about the Famous Chinook Winds". mountainnature.com. Archived from the original on February 14, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2014.
- ^ "Average Annual Wind Speed at Canadian Cities". Archived from the original on March 7, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000 Station Data". Environment Canada. January 19, 2011. Archived from the original on December 23, 2016. Retrieved January 30, 2016.
- ^ "Hourly Data Report for July 15, 1999". climate.weather.gc.ca. Government of Canada. October 31, 2011. Archived from the original on August 10, 2018. Retrieved February 15. 2025.
06:00 Rain, Snow, Fog
- ^ Millison, Andrew (2019-08-01). "Appendix C: Koppen Geiger Classification Descriptions". Koppen Geiger Classification Descriptions.
- ^ "Arid and Semi-arid Region Landforms - Geology (U.S. National Park Service)". www.nps.gov. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ^ "Stormiest Canadian Cities - Current Results". currentresults.com. Archived from the original on March 17, 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2017.
- ^ The Atlas of Canada (April 2004). "Major Hailstorms". Archived from the original on February 2, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
- ^ "Plant Hardiness Zone by Municipality". Natural Resources Canada. Government of Canada. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
- ^ "Canadian Plant Hardiness Map by Zones - Florissa". 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ^ Gardens, Prairie (2024-02-13). "Canadian Hardiness Zones are Not the Same as US Hardiness Zones!". Prairie Gardens. Archived from the original on Nov 12, 2024. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for January 2024 - Climate - Environment and Climate Change Canada". climate.weather.gc.ca. Retrieved 2025-02-08.
- ^ "When to Plant Vegetables in Calgary, AB". garden.org. Retrieved 2025-03-05.
- ^ Management, Environmental & Safety. "Calgary's Climate Program". www.calgary.ca. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
- ^ https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/calgary_canada_5913490
- ^ https://www.extremeweatherwatch.com/cities/calgary/lowest-temperatures-by-year
- ^ https://www.extremeweatherwatch.com/cities/calgary/highest-temperatures-by-year
- ^ "Calgary, Canada - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Archived from the original on July 6, 2019. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- ^ "Calgary (Olympic Park)". Canada Climate Averages 30 Years. weatherstats.ca. January 31, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
- ^ "Springbank A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. September 25, 2013. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
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