Weather in Lethbridge

Planning your day in Lethbridge? Check the latest weather information and forecasts in this section to make your trip as comfortable as possible.

The climate in the city of Lethbridge is characterized as continental and semi-arid, which means significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year and low precipitation levels. Travellers can expect four distinct seasons here: from cold winters to warm, sunny summers. The annual temperature amplitude is quite large — from frosts below -10°C in the winter months to nearly +30°C at the height of summer.

Winters in Lethbridge are generally cold, with average temperatures below freezing from December to February. Summer, on the other hand, is very comfortable and warm, especially in July and August, when daytime temperatures consistently stay above +20°C. Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with moderate but changeable weather conditions. One of the key features of the local climate is the low amount of precipitation throughout the year, making Lethbridge one of the sunniest cities in Canada.

The climate in Lethbridge is characterized by significant annual temperature fluctuations. The hottest month is usually July, with an average temperature of about 20.9°C and maximum values often reaching 28.4°C. August is also very warm, with averages of 20.3°C. The coldest month is February, when the average temperature drops to -6.6°C, and minimum temperatures can reach -11.4°C. January is also frosty, with an average temperature of -3.2°C.

The summer period in Lethbridge, spanning June, July, and August, offers warm and occasionally hot weather. Daytime temperatures in July and August regularly rise above 27-28°C, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. However, evenings and nights can be noticeably cooler, as minimum temperatures during these months drop to an average of 13°C. Such diurnal temperature variations, where the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum can exceed 15°C, are a characteristic feature of the local climate.

Winters in Lethbridge, especially in December, January, and February, are quite cold. Monthly average temperatures during these months consistently stay below freezing. During the day, the thermometer may hover around 0°C or slightly higher, such as in January (maximum average 1.0°C), but more often remains at negative values, as in February (maximum average -1.8°C). Night frosts are a common occurrence, and temperatures can drop to -7.4°C in January and to -11.4°C or lower in February. The difference between day and night temperatures in winter is also palpable, although not as great as in summer, amounting to around 8-10°C.

In Lethbridge, a comparatively small amount of precipitation falls throughout the year. There is no clearly defined rainy or dry season, although a slight increase in humidity is observed in late spring and early summer.

The highest amount of precipitation, albeit modest, occurs in May and June – averaging 2 mm in each of these months. June also stands out with the highest number of days with precipitation, around 10. The driest month is January, when practically no precipitation is recorded according to data (0 mm), yet there are about 5 days when minor snow events or frost are possible. In the other months of the year, precipitation usually amounts to about 1 mm.

The type of precipitation in Lethbridge depends on the time of year. In the winter months, roughly from November to March, when average temperatures are consistently below freezing, precipitation falls primarily as snow. Even the small amount of precipitation in February (1 mm) will be in the form of snow. In transitional seasons, such as April and October, both rain and snowfall are possible. During the summer period, from May to September, when temperatures are positive, rain falls. The number of days with precipitation per month varies from 5 in January to 10 in June, indicating that even in the "wettest" periods, precipitation is not a daily event.

When planning a trip to Lethbridge, it is important to consider its continental climate with distinct seasons and significant temperature fluctuations. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes will be your faithful companion. Given that Lethbridge is known for its winds, especially the famous "Chinook", a windbreaker is practically a mandatory wardrobe item. The principle of layering your clothes will help you easily adapt to weather changes throughout the day. Do not forget sunscreen, as the sun can be active even on cool days, especially when there is snow in winter.

Winter months in Lethbridge (from December to February, as well as cold periods in November and March) are characterized by average temperatures around -3°C...-7°C, with possible cold snaps. You will need warm winter clothing: an insulated and windproof jacket or coat, sweaters, thermal underwear, a hat, a scarf, and gloves. Warm and preferably waterproof shoes are also necessary, as snowfall is possible. In summer (June-August), the weather is warm, with average maximum temperatures reaching +28°C. Bring light summer clothing: t-shirts, shorts, sundresses. However, evenings can be cool, so a light cardigan or jacket will come in handy. A sun hat and sunglasses will also be useful.

Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are transitional seasons with changeable weather. It can be quite warm during the day, but noticeably cooler in the morning and evening. During this time, layering is especially relevant: t-shirts, shirts, jumpers, light jackets. Although the total amount of precipitation in Lethbridge is small (averaging 0-2 mm per month), "wet days" happen regularly (5-10 days per month), so a compact umbrella or a light waterproof jacket may prove very useful, especially in the off-season. It is always helpful to check the current weather forecast directly before your trip to optimally prepare your luggage.