Canada is an expansive country in North America that stretches from the Arctic Ocean in the north to the United States in the south, covering 9.98 million square kilometers. It sits at 19,551 feet (5959 meters) above sea level, with Mount Logan rising 19,551 feet above sea level being its highest point. A country best known for its beautiful scenery, extreme politeness, Maple syrup and enthusiasm for ice hockey, Canada is a dream destination for many travel enthusiasts. But does it snow in Canada?
Due to its expansive size, Canada experiences a diverse climate. The climate ranges from a polar climate in the north, arid climate in the east, to the West’s temperate climate. It is the coldest farthest north during winter, with Yukon receiving temperatures as low as -81 degrees Fahrenheit ( -63 degrees Celsius). Temperatures in the western parts average 37 degrees Fahrenheit (3 degrees Celsius).
Canada’s eastern and western parts experience small amounts of snow while high altitude areas receive heavy snowfalls. During winter, snow may accumulate up to depths of 240 inches (6,100 millimeters) in the Rocky Mountains.
When is there Snowfall in China?
Snow falls for six months in Canada, starting October through March, predominantly falling in the northern parts. Here is a breakdown of the months that experience snow in Canada.
Snow in October
Since Canada’s climate varies a lot, October sees different places witness different weather conditions throughout the country. Temperatures drop significantly as you move towards northern Canada and the interior. High altitude areas like Edmonton receive lows of 33.3 degrees Fahrenheit (0.7 degrees Celsius), with snowfall reaching depths of 1.26 inches (32 millimeters).
Up north, places like Whitehorse in Yukon experience average temperatures ranging from 34.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.4 degrees Celsius) to lows of 25.7 Fahrenheit (-3.5 degrees Celsius). Whitehorse witnesses 11.5 days of snowfall, and the snow can accumulate to depths of 3.82 inches (97 millimeters) in October.
Snow in November
The average temperatures in Canada in November range from 28.58 degrees Fahrenheit (-1.9 degrees Celsius) to 41.54 degrees Fahrenheit (5.3 degrees Celsius).
It snows heavily in Whitehorse, with snow falling for 19.6 days and accumulating to 5.12 inches (130 millimeters). Whitehorse experiences chilly temperatures of 9 degrees Fahrenheit (-12.8 degrees Celsius).
Snow in December
December is the first month of winter in Canada. Temperatures range between 30.92 degrees Fahrenheit (-0.6 degrees Celsius) to 17.42 degrees Fahrenheit (-8.1degrees Celsius) throughout the month.
December is the coldest month in Edmonton, with the temperature falling as low as 7.5 degrees Fahrenheit (-13.6 degrees Celsius). Edmonton receives 2.76 inches (70 millimeters) of snow, while in Whitehorse, snow accumulates to depths of 3.94 inches (100 millimeters).
Snow in January
Temperatures drop even further in January, with average low temperatures of 11.48 degrees Fahrenheit (-11.4degrees Celsius) recorded. January is the month with the most snowfall in Whitehorse, with snow falling for 19.5 days and accumulating to 5.83 inches (148 millimeters). In Edmonton, snow falls for 10.7 days and aggregates up to 2.87 inches (73 millimeters).
Snow in February
February is the last month of winter in Canada. As the country transitions to spring, there is a slight rise in temperatures, with the average lows of 12.2 Fahrenheit (-11degrees Celsius) being recorded.
Whitehorse receives 15.9 days with accumulations of 3.7 inches (94 millimeters) of snow, while Edmonton sees 2.52 inches (64 millimeters) of snow accumulated after snowing for 10.8 days.
Where does it Snow in Canada?
The snowiest places in Canada are found on the Atlantic coast as temperatures often drop below freezing point in the area. That said, here are some places worth mentioning.
Snow in Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital city of Canada and covers an area of 6767.41 square kilometers. Residents of Ottawa can be spotted donning heavy clothing in January as temperatures fall to a wintry low of 6.1 degreesFahrenheit (-14.4degrees Celsius). During winter, Ottawa receives a total of 9 inches (228.6 millimeters) of snow.
Snow in Gander, Newfoundland
Gander, a town located in Newfoundland, sits at an altitude of 420 feet (128 meters) above sea level and covers 104.25 square kilometers. It receives snow from October through June. January has the most snowfall with an accumulation of 10.31 inches (262 millimeters) of snow. On average, the total snow accumulation in Gander throughout the year is a staggering 57.48 inches (1460 millimeters).
Snow in Corner Brook
Corner Brook is a city in Newfoundland covering an area of 255.10 square kilometers. It sits at an altitude of 998 feet (304 meters) above sea level and receives a total accumulation of 69.96 inches (1777 millimeters) of snow per year.
Ski Resorts in Canada
Canada has a thriving skiing scene with skiing resorts scattered across the country. The best skiing resorts are located in the mountains of British Columbia and Alberta.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler Blackcomb offers 200 kilometers of slope for skiing and snowboarding, making it the largest ski resort in North America. The resort comprises two mountains, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain, connected by a peak-to-peak gondola. The slope covers all difficulty levels.
Whistler Blackcomb has 23 ski lifts that carry 58,047 passengers per hour and covers 44.2 kilometers of lift length and operates between mid-November to late May.
Tremblant Ski Resort
Tremblant ski resort is located in Quebec and is situated between altitudes of 230 and 875 meters above sea level. It has 81.9 kilometers of skiing and snowboarding available. Eleven ski lifts are used to provide transport and carry 25,300 passengers per hour.
Tremblant ski resort is open from late November to mid-April.
Sun Peaks Ski Resort
Sun Peaks ski resort is located in British Columbia on Mount Tod. The winter sports area is between elevations of 1198 and 2,082 meters above sea level. There are 135 kilometers available for skiing and snowboarding.
The slopes at Sun Peaks accommodate all difficulty levels, with beginners having 13.5 kilometers of easy and long slopes, 78 kilometers for advanced skiers, and 43.5 kilometers for expert skiers.
The resort operates from mid-November to mid-April.
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