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Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ has four unique seasons that are stunning in their own ways. Our seasons feature everything from magical powder-filled winters to warm and carefree summers.

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­'s seasons at a glance

No matter what season we’re in, life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ guarantees bright sunshine, with 333 days of sunshine a year, making us Canada’s sunniest major city. We enjoy life here with a variety of activities that take advantage of every possible temperature.

  • Fall is full of colour and nature. (September - November)

    Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ autumns are met with a vibrant colour palette and crisp, fresh air. Take in the golden glory by exploring the famous larch season in the Rockies.

  • Winter is a magical wonderland. (December - March)

    Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is a winter city and we are proud of it. Bringing energy into the colder months is what Calgarians are good at. Discover frosted-tip trees and outdoor activities to keep you warm. 

  • Spring is short and sweet. (March - June)

    Greenspaces start to revive and the snow begins to melt, budding new life into the city. Spring in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is an unpredictable time of year between the final snowfalls while providing a glimpse of warmer days.

  • Summer is bright and carefree. (June - September)

    A season of toasty sunshine invites sunny patio hangs, event-filled calendars and cooling off by one of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s lakes or rivers.

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Summers of sunshine, festivals and patios

Here comes the sun.

In the summer months, you can expect Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s streets to be filled with live music and concerts, patio hopping, markets and more. Not to mention the world-famous Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Stampede and other festivals like the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Folk Music Festival which keep our streets buzzing all summer long!

What is winter really like in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­?

We’re not going to lie, it’s colder here during our winter months (November - March) compared to other parts of Canada but if you dress the part, you can embrace the winter months with ease. Unique to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­, Chinook Winds provide a warm reprieve throughout the winter season, which provides a break from colder winter temperatures (explore more on this below).

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ locals use the winter months to explore the city, take in shows and partake in outdoor adventures. Whether you are looking to cozy up in one of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s many coffee shops, or you are heading out for an activity-filled cross-country ski or day on the slopes, there is winter magic for everyone.

Outdoor favourites for locals include a skate through Bowness Park or the University District’s Central Commons Park. Winter is also a great time to explore Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s downtown core, Chinatown or historic Inglewood. The season brings annual winter festivals like Chinook Blast and Blockheater, the winter Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ Folk Music Festival.

Winter flies by in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ with many activities to keep you busy.

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What is a ‘Chinook Wind’?

Talk to any Calgarian and they’ll share a well-known fact to Southern Albertans: the Chinook Wind (known as ‘Chinooks’) – is nature’s gift to Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­. A distinctive characteristic of Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ winters, Chinooks are warm winds that raise temperatures by as much as 15 degrees in a few hours.

As the westerly winds travel over the Canadian Rocky Mountains, a Chinook arch forms, typically visible from anywhere in the city. The winds occur year-round but are most prominent between November and May, giving Calgarians a blissful break from winter’s colder temperatures and melting the snow away.

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How to prepare for Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­â€™s weather

Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ is a city where you can experience all four seasons in just one day.

Temperatures can soar to the high 30 degrees Celsius in the summer, while the average temperature sits at -4.6 degrees Celsius in the winter. Compared to other cities, Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­ has a dry climate – not a humid one – so summer heat is comfortable, and winter lows won’t chill you to the bone.

 

Curious about life in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­?

Explore what life is like in a city ranked among the best places to live in the world and North America.

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Experience living in Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»­

Discover an affordable, vibrant, and family-friendly lifestyle in a city ranked among the best places to live in the world and in North America.