Weather in Calgary

Planning a trip to Calgary or just curious about the weather there right now? In this section, you will find the latest updates on weather conditions, along with detailed forecasts and clear charts.

Calgary, located in Canada, is characterized by a continental climate with clearly defined seasons. The city experiences significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, so travellers should be prepared for diverse weather conditions depending on the time of their trip.

Winters in Calgary (usually from December to March) are cold, with average temperatures often dropping significantly below freezing, and minimums reaching -10°C or even -15°C, as seen in the February data. Summers (from June to August), on the contrary, are warm and sunny, with average temperatures around 17-18°C and daily highs comfortably rising to 20-25°C. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with milder but changeable weather, when the temperature gradually rises or falls.

One of the distinctive features of Calgary's climate is the comparatively low level of precipitation throughout the year. Data shows that even in the "wettest" months, such as June, the amount of precipitation remains small (around 4 mm). This makes the city's climate generally relatively dry. Although snow is possible in winter and short rains in summer, prolonged periods of bad weather are less characteristic here.

The temperature regime in Calgary demonstrates significant annual fluctuations, typical of a continental climate. The hottest months are traditionally July and August, when the average temperature stays around 17.4-17.6°C, and daily highs often reach a comfortable +24.5°C. In contrast, the coldest period is winter, especially February, with an average temperature of about -9.1°C and minimum night temperatures dropping to -14.7°C. January and December are also characterized by frosty weather with average values around -6.8°C.

Summer in Calgary can be described as pleasantly warm. Daytime hours in June, July, and August delight with sunny weather, while maximum temperatures usually range from +20.8°C in June to +24.6°C in July. An important feature of the summer period is the noticeable difference between day and night temperatures. For example, in July, with a daily high of about +24.6°C, the night temperature can drop to +10.6°C, providing freshness and coolness after a hot day. Similar diurnal fluctuations are characteristic of the entire warm season.

Winter in Calgary brings real frosts. From December to March, the thermometer stays consistently below the freezing mark. Average maximum temperatures in the coldest months (January, February, December) range from -2.0°C to -3.5°C, while average minimum temperatures can reach -11.6°C in January and even -14.7°C in February. This means that very warm clothing is necessary for a winter trip to Calgary. As in summer, substantial temperature changes between day and night are also observed in winter, albeit against a background of generally low values.

Precipitation in Calgary is distributed unevenly throughout the year, although its overall level remains comparatively low. The most noticeable increase in the number of wet days and volume of precipitation is observed from late spring to mid-summer. The peak falls in June, which can be considered the "wettest" month of the year. During this period, precipitation falls primarily in the form of rain.

Speaking of specific figures, June stands out as the month with the highest amount of precipitation – on average 4 mm, and the maximum number of days with precipitation reaching 14. It is followed by May and July, where about 2 mm of precipitation and 13 and 12 wet days are registered respectively. The driest month is January: during this period there is practically no precipitation (0 mm), and the number of days with it is only about four. In the remaining months of the year, precipitation stays at a level of approximately 1 mm.

The type of precipitation in Calgary is directly related to air temperature. In the cold season, which lasts approximately from November to March, and sometimes includes April and October, when average temperatures drop below zero, precipitation falls mainly in the form of snow. Although the amount of snow, judging by the total volume of precipitation, is small, it is a characteristic feature of winter in Calgary. With the arrival of warmth, from May to September, rains prevail. Despite the fact that summer months, especially June, see more days with precipitation, this usually does not mean prolonged downpours, but rather indicates more frequent but moderate rains.

When packing for Calgary, it is important to consider significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and even within a single day. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to changing conditions by adding or removing layers of clothing. Regardless of the season, be sure to bring comfortable walking shoes, as the city is conducive to walking. A small backpack for day trips, sunscreen (especially in summer and on clear winter days due to the high altitude location), and possibly a compact umbrella or light waterproof jacket will also be useful, considering that precipitation, although not abundant, does happen, especially from May to August.

In winter (from December to March), Calgary can be very cold, with average temperatures significantly below freezing and minimums dropping to -15°C and below. Therefore, your luggage must include: very warm, windproof and waterproof outerwear (a down jacket or parka), thermal underwear, warm sweaters (fleece, wool), insulated trousers, a hat that covers your ears, a bulky scarf, and waterproof gloves or mittens. Don't forget warm waterproof boots with non-slip soles, as there may be snow and ice on the streets. Given the possible strong winds, especially the famous "Chinook", the windproof properties of clothing take on special importance.

In summer (from June to August), warm weather settles in Calgary, with daytime temperatures reaching +20-25°C. You will need light trousers, shorts, t-shirts, and short-sleeved shirts. However, evenings and nights can be cool (around +10°C), so be sure to bring a light jacket, sweater, or cardigan. Sunglasses and headwear will also be very handy. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather is most variable: both warm sunny days and sharp cold snaps with precipitation, including early or late snow, are possible. For these seasons, a combination of t-shirts, jumpers, jeans, as well as a mid-season jacket (preferably windproof and water-resistant) and comfortable closed shoes is ideal.