Calgary, Alberta, experiences a classic continental climate with four distinct seasons, marked by cold, snowy winters and warm, sunny summers. The city is famous for its abundant sunshine – over 330 days a year – and dramatic temperature swings, especially in winter due to the Chinook winds. Calgary’s weather is changeable, offering a unique blend of prairie and mountain influences.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Calgary’s climate is defined by its prairie-steppe geography and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Winters (November to March) are long, cold, and dry, with average January temperatures around -6°C but occasional plunges below -30°C. However, the Chinook winds – warm, dry gusts from the mountains – can raise temperatures by 20–30°C within hours, offering welcome thaws and bright, sunny days. Snow is common, with an annual average of about 130 cm, but snow cover can be inconsistent due to frequent melting from Chinooks.
Summers (June to August) are pleasantly warm and sunny, with average highs around 23°C in July and low humidity, making outdoor activities enjoyable. Nights can be cool, often dropping below 10°C. Summer is also the wettest season, with most of Calgary’s modest annual 425 mm of precipitation falling as brief afternoon thunderstorms, occasionally with hail. Spring and autumn are transitional and can be highly variable, with rapid shifts between warm and cold, sun and snow. Calgary is Canada’s sunniest major city, averaging about 2,400 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are a constant feature, averaging 14–17 km/h, contributing to the city’s reputation for brisk, fresh air. Daylight hours range from about 8 hours in December to over 16 hours in June, providing long summer evenings for outdoor fun.
| Average climate data for Calgary, Canada | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -4 | -4 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 18 | 9 | 1 | -5 | 23 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -11 | -11 | -7 | -1 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 1 | -6 | -11 | -11 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 9 | 12 | 15 | 28 | 46 | 64 | 40 | 23 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 287 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 94 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 65 | 99 | 101 | 101 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 45 | 81 | 77 | 626 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 12 | 13 | 13 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 75 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 82 | 78 | 70 | 63 | 67 | 68 | 61 | 59 | 66 | 77 | 80 | 71 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 43 | 51 | 49 | 44 | 37 | 34 | 25 | 25 | 29 | 36 | 42 | 44 | 38 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Calgary is from June to September, when the weather is warm, dry, and sunny, with daytime highs around 20–25°C. Long daylight hours and abundant sunshine make this period ideal for festivals, outdoor adventures, and exploring both the city and the nearby Rockies.
The least favourable time for travel is from late November to early March, when Calgary experiences its coldest and snowiest weather. Temperatures can drop below -20°C, and winter storms are possible. However, this is also the prime season for winter sports enthusiasts heading to the mountains.
Calgary has a continental climate with cold, dry winters and warm, sunny summers. Winters can be harsh, but Chinook winds often bring sudden warm spells. Summers are pleasant, with low humidity and plenty of sunshine.
The best time for outdoor activities is from June to September, when temperatures are warm, rainfall is moderate, and the city enjoys long daylight hours. This period is perfect for hiking, festivals, and exploring the outdoors.
Calgary receives about 130 cm of snow annually, mostly between October and April. Snow cover is common in winter, but frequent Chinook winds can cause rapid melting and fluctuating conditions.
Calgary is Canada’s sunniest major city, with over 2,300 hours of sunshine and about 330 sunny days per year. Even in winter, clear blue skies are common.
Chinook winds are warm, dry winds that descend from the Rockies and can raise Calgary’s winter temperatures by 20–30°C in a matter of hours, melting snow and bringing sudden thaws.
Yes, Calgary is close to the Rocky Mountains, making it an excellent base for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. The city itself also offers ice skating and winter festivals.
Summers in Calgary are warm but not overly hot, with average highs around 23°C. Humidity is low, making the heat comfortable. Nights are often cool, so a light jacket is useful.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (22.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (-4.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 8.8 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (10 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (-11.5 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -0.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (64.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (9 mm). Over the whole year there are 286.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (17.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (2.4 days). Over the whole year there are 94.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is April (101.2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 626.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (12.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 75.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (82.4 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is September (58.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 71 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (13.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (10.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 11.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (50.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (24.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 38.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 5). The month with the lowest average UV index is January (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
