Weather in Halifax

Stay up to date with the current weather conditions in Halifax. In this section, you will find the latest data, detailed forecasts, and clear weather charts to help you plan your time in the city.

The climate in Halifax, located on the east coast of Canada, can be described as moderate maritime. The city experiences significant influence from the Atlantic Ocean, which moderates extreme temperatures but also results in high humidity and frequent precipitation throughout the year. Halifax is characterized by four distinct seasons, each with its own weather features.

Winters (from December to March) in Halifax are quite cold, with average temperatures hovering around zero degrees Celsius and often dropping lower, especially in January and February – the frostiest months. Spring (April-May) arrives gradually, bringing rising temperatures but remaining generally cool. Summer (from June to August) in Halifax is warm and pleasant, with average temperatures around +20°C; July and August are traditionally considered the warmest months. Autumn (from September to November) delights with colourful landscapes and gradual cooling, remaining relatively mild until the onset of winter.

One of the notable features of the weather in Halifax is the high frequency of precipitation throughout the year. Practically every month sees between 9 and 13 days with precipitation, whether it is rain or snow during the winter period. This indicates that wet weather is not uncommon here, although the precipitation itself may not always be very intense. Such distribution contributes to a sensation of constant humidity in the climate year-round, which is worth considering when planning your trip.

The climate in Halifax is characterized by noticeable seasonal temperature fluctuations. The annual temperature progression shows that the coldest months are January and February. In January, the average temperature is -2.3°C (with a minimum of -5.8°C and a maximum of 1.2°C), and in February it gets slightly colder: the average temperature is -2.7°C (minimum -6.6°C, maximum 1.2°C). Conversely, the warmest months are July and August. In July, the average temperature reaches 19.8°C (minimum 16.2°C, maximum 23.4°C), and in August it is 20.0°C (minimum 16.5°C, maximum 23.5°C), making these months the most comfortable for a summer holiday.

The summer months in Halifax, from June to August, offer pleasantly warm weather. June begins the summer season with an average temperature of 15.4°C, with daytime highs reaching 19.3°C and nighttime lows dropping to 11.5°C. In July and August, temperatures continue to rise, reaching their peak values. Daytime highs in these months consistently stay around 23-24°C, while nights remain relatively warm with temperatures around 16-17°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer averages 7-8°C, providing comfortable coolness in the evening.

The winter period in Halifax, especially from December to March, brings cool and frosty weather. In December, the average temperature is 0.4°C, but by January and February, it drops significantly below zero. Daytime temperatures in the height of winter rarely rise above 1-3°C, while nighttime lows regularly drop to -6°C and below. March is a transitional month with an average temperature of 0.6°C, but night frosts are still characteristic. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are also noticeable, amounting to about 6-8°C, which means significant cooling as night falls. The spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October, November) months demonstrate a gradual transition between summer warmth and winter cold, with a wide range of average temperatures from 5.4°C in April to 16.7°C in September.

In Halifax, precipitation is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, and there is no pronounced rainy season or dry period if judging by the total volume of falling moisture. The monthly amount of precipitation is small, fluctuating mainly between 3 mm and 4 mm, which indicates frequent but not overly heavy precipitation.

The "driest" month in terms of precipitation amount is May, when only 2 mm falls. Slightly more, 3 mm each, falls in March, July, August, September, and October. The greatest amount of precipitation – 4 mm – is characteristic of January, February, April, June, November, and December. Regarding frequency, precipitation occurs regularly. The highest number of days with precipitation (13 days) is observed in January, March, April, June, November, and December. Precipitation occurs least frequently in September – on average 9 days.

The nature of precipitation changes depending on the season. In the winter months – January (average temperature -2.3°C) and February (average temperature -2.7°C) – precipitation falls primarily in the form of snow. Snow is also likely in December (average temperature 0.4°C) and March (average temperature 0.6°C), sometimes mixed with rain. In the remaining months, from April to November, when temperatures are consistently above zero, precipitation falls as rain. For example, in July and August, the warmest months, it rains approximately 11 days per month.

When planning a trip to Halifax, it is important to remember its seaside location and, consequently, the changeable weather. The key principle when packing your suitcase should be layering, allowing you to adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Regardless of the season, you will certainly need comfortable, preferably waterproof footwear for long walks, as well as an umbrella or a light raincoat, since precipitation occurs here regularly throughout the year, although it is not always heavy.

The winter months in Halifax (from December to March) are characterized by low temperatures, often dropping below zero, with average values around -2°C. During this period, it is necessary to bring very warm clothing: an insulated and windproof jacket, thick sweaters or fleece tops, thermal underwear, as well as a hat, scarf, and gloves. Do not forget warm waterproof boots to move comfortably around the city, where snow and changeable coastal weather are possible.

In summer (June-August), Halifax experiences pleasant warm weather with average temperatures around +15°C to +20°C, and maximums reaching +23°C. For this season, t-shirts, shorts, light trousers, and dresses are suitable. However, even in summer, it is worth having a light jacket, cardigan, or sweater for evening walks or in case of cooler and windier days. Sunscreen and a hat will also be useful. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November) are transitional seasons with moderate but changeable temperatures, ranging from +0.6°C in March to +16.7°C in September. It is recommended to bring a mid-season jacket (possibly a windbreaker), jeans, and several sweaters and tops to easily combine clothing depending on the current weather conditions.