Weather in Canada

Due to its large landmass, Canada’s weather is highly variable depending on the location. The country stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and extends across six time zones.

That said, most expats living in Canada will find themselves residing within a few hundred miles of the United States border and in a more temperate climate (except for those living in Calgary and Edmonton). Only a small percentage of the population chooses to withstand the harsh conditions in the northern territories, just south of the Arctic Circle.

Though the weather extremes in Canada are fairly fluid across different regions, the four distinct seasons are similar throughout the country. Winters tend to be long and cold, while expats can expect hot but short summers. Weather on Canada's west coast of British Columbia and its east coast of Newfoundland is milder, a direct result of the maritime influence, but these areas also experience more rainfall.

The interior of the country is generally flat and, for this reason, absorbs the cold currents and sweeping winds coming from the Canadian Arctic. The prairies in Canada also experience drastic weather changes from season to season. Some of the hottest and coldest temperatures in the country occur here.