Best time to go

Spring in Canada arrives between March and May with temperatures rising from zero towards 15-20°C in some areas. This is generally a comfortable and picturesque time to visit with blossoms, cool temperatures and frequent showers in some areas. It’s also a good time for wildlife watching, beginning in April as temperatures rise.

Summer in Canada is between June and August with the warmest, sunniest weather and longest days. Temperatures can range 15-25°C with peaks up to 30°C in mid-summer but more comfortably mild conditions in the north and on the coast. This is peak time for festivals and events in many cities, and also the best time for watching wildlife such as bears and whales.

Autumn in Canada is September/October with temperatures falling from summer peaks in early September to often wintry conditions by the end of October. This is a great time to see the Fall colours in the Canadian countryside as well as a range of harvest festivals. It’s a more comfortable time to visit the cities than in summer and the tail end of the season for watching wildlife in most areas. October/November is peak season for watching polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba, and the beginning of the best Northern Lights period in the northern regions.

Winter is long and cold in much of Canada, stretching for six months in many provinces, especially in northern areas. Temperatures can range from 5°C down to below - 20°C. Winter extends from November to late March in many regions while in the north, it may extend until May. The mildest conditions are near the US border and on the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, while heavier snow falls inland and further north, especially December to February. This is peak time for winter sports in ski resorts, as well as peak time for watching the Northern Lights in the clearest skies of the northern regions.