Snow, alongside the maple leaf, is the first thing that comes to mind when we think of Canada. Non-Canadians usually see Canada as the land of harsh winters with never-ending snow. Is this true, and does it ever stop snowing in Canada?
It doesn’t always snow in the most populated areas in Canada. In these areas, snow is mainly expected in winter (especially in January and February). However, the areas near the Arctic Region might experience snow even in summer.
In the rest of this article, I will talk about the frequency of snowfall in this country. I will also explain if there are any places in Canada where it never snows, and I will reveal where you can find the warmest place in Canada.
Does It Always Snow In Canada?
There is a general misconception that it never stops snowing in Canada. Canada has four seasons, and the greatest snowfall usually occurs in winter. Interestingly, winters aren’t the same everywhere in this country; some places experience winters with very little snow.
How Often Does It Snow in Canada?
Canada is the world’s second-largest country, extending over a vast territory of 3,855,103 square miles (9,984,670 square kilometers). Because of Canada’s large size, the average weather forecast for different regions in Canada will never be the same.
The southern regions of Canada and certain places inland typically have snow for four to six months, while northern areas can have snow all year round. Winter months have the most snowfall, but there might also be light snow in early spring and late fall.
As I mentioned above, the places where most Canadians live usually experience snow only during winter. These regions are farther away from the North Pole and close to the US-Canada border (this is the country’s south).
You can expect snow for up to six months in these places. Lighter snowfall may start in late fall (usually October or November) but doesn’t stay long.
The same applies to spring. There may be snow in certain areas during March and April, but the snow quickly disappears with rising temperatures.
Heavy snowfall occurs during the coldest months of the year, primarily in December, January, and February. If you travel to Canada, you may expect snow any time during these months, although you might find less snowfall on the west coast.
Toronto gets the heaviest snow in winter, but snowfall may sometimes continue well into spring. The residents of Toronto experience snow for 65 days a year on average.
Toronto has lots of snow during winter but is still one of Canada’s most popular places, largely thanks to the nearby Disneyland. If you plan to make that one of your stops on your trip to Canada, check out my article about everything you’ll need to know beforehand.
The west coast has a favorable climate due to its proximity to the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Vancouver (British Columbia) gets about 10 inches (about 37 centimeters) of snow yearly.
To understand how little snow this is, let’s compare Vancouver to St. John (Newfoundland), where you can find approximately 126 inches (322 centimeters) of snow a year.
Like many other places in the northern regions, Newfoundland has also had snowy summers, which shows that the time and frequency of snowfall largely depend on the area you visit in Canada.
Check out this YouTube Video of some sensational snowfall in Canada!
Is There Anywhere in Canada That Doesn’t Get Snow?
Canada covers an extensive portion of land, which includes various regions with different climates. As a result, some places in Canada have mild winters, while others have cold winters with abundant snow.
There aren’t any places in Canada where it doesn’t snow at some point throughout the year. Even Victoria, the city with the least snow in Canada, has an average annual snowfall of close to 10 inches (26 centimeters).
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia. Places such as Vancouver and Kelowna also belong to British Columbia. These cities are known for their warm climate and light snowfall.
If you ever decide to visit one of these beautiful places in British Columbia, you might want to rent a car to explore the landscape and get a better view.
Take a look at my article here to read up on everything you need to know about renting a car.
As you move away from the coastal area of British Columbia and into the interior of this province, you’ll find places with more snow and lower temperatures.
We can see just how diverse the Canadian climate can be, even considering a smaller area within a single province. The only thing common to all places in Canada is that they all get at least “some” snow during the year.
Which Part of Canada Is Warmest?
Victoria (BC) is the Canadian city with the lowest annual average of snow, but that’s not its only weather-related claim to fame.
Victoria (British Columbia) is the warmest city in Canada. Its coldest months are generally in late December and early January when temperatures average around 45 °F (7.2 °C ). Sometimes, it drops down to 38 °F (3.3 °C). July temperatures average approximately 68 °F (20 °C).
These temperatures might seem low at first, especially if you live in a hot climate, but compared to other places in Canada, the weather in Victoria is pretty warm.
The average winter temperature in the rest of Canada is typically around 32 °F (0 °C), but it often goes below zero degrees, reaching down to 23 °F (-5 °C) and 5 °F (-15 °C). Suddenly, Victoria seems like a warm tropical destination.
But what exactly makes Victoria the warmest place in Canada?
When you live in a country as big as Canada, you can see extreme variations in climate and temperatures.
The northern territories have the coldest climate because they belong to the Arctic region. The places close to the mountain ranges also have lower temperatures and more significant snowfall.
Coastal areas near warm oceanic currents tend to have mild winters with less snowfall. The province of British Columbia is one of those places.
Therefore, Victoria owes its warm climate to its good geographical position on the west coast. Here, the warm currents from the Pacific Ocean and westerly winds bring pleasant weather, making Victoria the warmest place in the country.
Conclusion
An old Greek proverb says, “Mountains are used to snow.” In Canada, everyone is used to snow. It’s far more likely to find heavier snow in the northern regions of this country, while the coastal and southern areas typically get snow only during winter.
Still, there isn’t a single place that doesn’t get at least some snow during the year. British Columbia has the mildest climate, but even its warmest city, Victoria, experiences snow during the year. One thing is sure; be prepared for snow when visiting Canada, especially during winter.
