Weather in Smithers

To ensure your trip to Smithers goes perfectly, it is important to know the weather conditions in advance. Below are the latest updates, detailed forecasts, and charts to help you plan your day wisely.

The climate of Smithers can be described as moderately cold with a significant influence from the mountainous terrain, which is typical for this region of Canada. There is a distinct change of seasons here, offering tourists various types of recreation: from winter sports to summer hikes. Overall, the weather cannot be called extreme, but it does require proper wardrobe preparation.

Summer in Smithers is mild and comfortable, without exhausting heat. The warmest months — July and August — delight with average temperatures around 13-14°C, while during the day the air can warm up to a pleasant 19°C. Winter here is real, snowy, and frosty: from December to February, average temperatures stay around -8°C, sometimes dropping lower, creating ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

A feature of the local weather is the fairly high frequency of precipitation throughout the year. According to statistics, the number of days with precipitation (rain or snow) varies from 12 to 20 per month, so an umbrella or waterproof jacket will be useful in any season. Thanks to the absence of sharp temperature fluctuations within seasons, the climate feels quite stable, allowing for easy travel planning.

The climate in Smithers is distinguished by its cool character with distinct seasonality, typical for the mountain regions of Canada. Winter here is long and frosty: the coldest months are December, January, and February, when average temperatures hover in the range of -8°C to -9°C. At night, the thermometer often drops below -11°C, and in February minimum values can reach -12.5°C, so warm winter gear is simply essential here.

Summer in the town is mild and refreshing, which will be a real salvation for those who do not like exhausting heat. The warmest months are July and August with an average temperature of about 13.6°C. During this period, the air warms up to a comfortable 19°C during the day, creating ideal conditions for hiking and walks. However, there is almost no sweltering heat here, and even at the height of the season, the weather remains pleasantly cool rather than hot.

When planning a trip, it is important to consider daily temperature fluctuations, which are especially noticeable in the summer period. Even if the sun is shining and it is warm during the day, nights in Smithers remain cool: in July and August, the temperature after sunset can drop to 8°C. In spring and autumn, the changes are also palpable, so the principle of layering in clothing will be the best solution for a comfortable trip at any time of year.

The weather in Smithers is characterized by regular precipitation throughout the year, with no clearly defined dry season observed here. Winter months are characterized by stable freezing temperatures, so from November to March precipitation falls mainly as snow. January is the "snowiest" in terms of snowfall frequency, when inclement weather can be observed for up to 20 days per month.

In the warm season, from May to September, rains replace the snow. Despite the summer months being the warmest, they do not guarantee cloudless skies: for example, in June it can rain for about 17 days. The least rainy months of the year are considered to be March and August, when the number of days with precipitation drops to 12, however, even at this time an umbrella may come in handy.

The peak in precipitation volume (around 4 mm) falls in autumn — October and November — when the weather becomes the most humid and cool before the arrival of winter. Considering that precipitation falls quite often even during the "driest" periods, travellers are recommended to always have waterproof clothing and footwear with them, regardless of the chosen travel dates.

When setting off for Smithers, it is important to remember the variability of the local weather and adhere to the principle of layering in clothing. Even in summer, it can be quite cool here, so warm items will be useful at any time of year. A basic traveller's kit must include comfortable, preferably waterproof footwear for long walks, as well as a high-quality raincoat or windbreaker, as precipitation is possible in practically any month.

If your trip is planned for the winter period (from November to March), be prepared for real Canadian cold. You will need thermal underwear, woollen sweaters, a warm down jacket, as well as a hat, a scarf, and gloves. Given the stable sub-zero temperatures, insulated boots with non-slip soles will be the key to your comfort. Also, do not forget sunglasses: the winter sun reflecting off the snow can be very bright.

Summer in Smithers is mild and fresh; intense heat is rare here. For the warm season (June-August), t-shirts and light trousers are suitable, but be sure to bring a fleece jacket or hoodie for cool evenings and cloudy days. In spring and autumn, the weather is particularly capricious, so an umbrella and a light jacket should be at hand. Regardless of the season, sunscreen will be useful to protect your skin during outdoor activities.