Climate in Canada varies widely from region to region. In many parts of the country, particularly in the interior and Prairie provinces, winters are long, very cold, and feature frequent snow. Most of Canada has a continental climate, which features a large annual range of temperatures, cold winters, and warm summers. Daily average temperatures are near −15 °C (5 °F ), but can drop below −50 °C (−58 °F) with severe wind chills. [1] In non-coastal regions, snow can cover the ground for almost six months of the year, while in parts of the north snow can persist year-round. Coastal British Columbia has a more temperate climate, with a mild and rainy, cloudy winter. On the east and west coasts, average high temperatures are generally in the low 20s °C (70s °F), while between the coasts, the average summer high temperature ranges from 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), with temperatures in some interior locations occasionally exceeding 40 °C (104 °F). [2]
Much of Northern Canada is covered by ice and permafrost; however, the future of the permafrost is uncertain because the Arctic has been warming at three times the global average as a result of climate change in Canada. [3] Canada's annual average temperature over land has warmed by 1.7 °C (3.1 °F), with changes ranging from 1.1 to 2.3 °C (2.0 to 4.1 °F) in various regions, since 1948. [4] The rate of warming has been higher across the North and in the Prairies. [4] In the southern regions of Canada, air pollution from both Canada and the United States—caused by metal smelting, burning coal to power utilities, and vehicle emissions—has resulted in acid rain, which has severely impacted waterways, forest growth and agricultural productivity in Canada. [5]
The following tables show the average maximum and minimum temperatures of Canada of various cities across Canada, based on the climate period from 1981 to 2010 for the months of January and July (generally the lowest and highest average temperature months, but not in every case).
The two major Canadian cities that fall outside the continental climate schema are Vancouver and Victoria. Vancouver experiences an oceanic climate, bordering warm-summer mediterranean with a marked summer dry season. Victoria, BC is the only major Canadian city entirely in a warm-summer mediterranean climate. Of the eight largest Canadian cities, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto have the warmest summers, Winnipeg the coldest winters, while Vancouver's winters are far milder than any other large city in Canada.
In mountainous regions such as British Columbia the variety of elevations creates micro-climates with average temperatures that can vary wildly within relatively small distances. A few small towns in southern BC outside of Vancouver, for example, have a humid continental climate (Dfb) with average winter temperatures and cold snaps comparable to other parts of the country.
Central Canada and northern Canada experiences subarctic and Arctic climates, much of them arid. Those areas are not heavily populated due to the severe climate, where it drops below −20 °C (−4 °F) on most winter days and has a very brief summer season.
Some Mountain passes in southern BC also have a subarctic or subalpine climate, creating extremely dangerous driving conditions, as drivers may be unaware of wintry road conditions when they come from nearby areas like Vancouver and Kamloops that are much warmer. [6]
The table can be reordered by clicking on the box in each column. Places in italics are provincial capitals, bold is the national capital.
Community | Weather station | Location | Elevation | January (Avg. high °C (°F)) | January (Avg. low °C (°F)) | July (Avg. high °C (°F)) | July (Avg. low °C (°F)) | Annual (Avg. high °C (°F)) | Annual (Avg. low °C (°F)) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alberton, PE [7] | 46°51′00″N064°01′00″W / 46.85000°N 64.01667°W | 3 m (9.8 ft) | −3.9 (25.0) | −12.5 (9.5) | 23.2 (73.8) | 14.1 (57.4) | 9.6 (49.3) | 1.3 (34.3) | |
Baker Lake, NU [8] | YBK | 64°17′56″N096°04′40″W / 64.29889°N 96.07778°W | 18.6 m (61 ft) | −27.7 (−17.9) | −34.8 (−30.6) | 17.0 (62.6) | 6.1 (43.0) | −7.3 (18.9) | −15.2 (4.6) |
Baie-Comeau, QC [9] | YBC | 49°08′00″N068°12′00″W / 49.13333°N 68.20000°W | 22 m (72 ft) | −8.7 (16.3) | −19.9 (−3.8) | 20.9 (69.6) | 10.3 (50.5) | 6.6 (43.9) | −3.3 (26.1) |
Calgary, AB [10] | YYC | 51°06′50″N114°01′13″W / 51.11389°N 114.02028°W | 1,084 m (3,556 ft) | −0.9 (30.4) | −13.2 (8.2) | 23.2 (73.8) | 9.8 (49.6) | 10.8 (51.4) | −1.9 (28.6) |
Charlottetown , PE [11] | YYG | 46°17′19″N063°07′43″W / 46.28861°N 63.12861°W | 49 m (161 ft) | −3.4 (25.9) | −12.1 (10.2) | 23.3 (73.9) | 14.1 (57.4) | 9.9 (49.8) | 1.3 (34.3) |
Churchill, MB [12] | YYQ | 58°44′21″N094°03′59″W / 58.73917°N 94.06639°W | 29 m (95 ft) | −21.9 (−7.4) | −30.1 (−22.2) | 18.0 (64.4) | 7.3 (45.1) | −2.3 (27.9) | −10.7 (12.7) |
Corner Brook, NL [13] | 48°57′00″N057°57′00″W / 48.95000°N 57.95000°W | 5 m (16 ft) | −2.7 (27.1) | −9.6 (14.7) | 22.0 (71.6) | 12.6 (54.7) | 9.0 (48.2) | 1.3 (34.3) | |
Dawson City, YT [14] | YDA | 64°02′35″N139°07′40″W / 64.04306°N 139.12778°W | 370 m (1,210 ft) | −21.8 (−7.2) | −30.1 (−22.2) | 23.1 (73.6) | 8.2 (46.8) | 2.1 (35.8) | −10.3 (13.5) |
Edmonton , AB [15] | YXD | 53°34′24″N113°31′06″W / 53.57333°N 113.51833°W | 671 m (2,201 ft) | −6.0 (21.2) | −14.8 (5.4) | 23.1 (73.6) | 12.3 (54.1) | 9.3 (48.7) | −1.0 (30.2) |
Edmundston, NB [16] | 47°20′47″N068°11′16″W / 47.34639°N 68.18778°W | 163 m (535 ft) | −7.1 (19.2) | −18.5 (−1.3) | 24.7 (76.5) | 11.5 (52.7) | 9.5 (49.1) | −2.3 (27.9) | |
Fort Nelson, BC [17] | YYE | 58°50′11″N122°35′50″W / 58.83639°N 122.59722°W | 382 m (1,253 ft) | −16.1 (3.0) | −24.6 (−12.3) | 23.2 (73.8) | 10.9 (51.6) | 5.2 (41.4) | −6.0 (21.2) |
Fredericton , NB [18] | YFC | 45°52′20″N066°31′40″W / 45.87222°N 66.52778°W | 21 m (69 ft) | −3.8 (25.2) | −15.0 (5.0) | 25.5 (77.9) | 13.0 (55.4) | 11.4 (52.5) | −0.2 (31.6) |
Halifax , NS [19] | YHZ | 44°52′48″N063°30′00″W / 44.88000°N 63.50000°W | 145 m (476 ft) | −1.3 (29.7) | −10.4 (13.3) | 23.8 (74.8) | 13.7 (56.7) | 11.3 (52.3) | 1.9 (35.4) |
High Level, AB [20] | YOJ | 58°37′17″N117°09′53″W / 58.62139°N 117.16472°W | 338 m (1,109 ft) | −15.0 (5.0) | −25.8 (−14.4) | 23.0 (73.4) | 9.9 (49.8) | 5.2 (41.4) | −7.2 (19.0) |
Inuvik, NT [21] | YEV | 68°18′15″N133°28′58″W / 68.30417°N 133.48278°W | 68 m (223 ft) | −22.8 (−9.0) | −31.0 (−23.8) | 19.5 (67.1) | 8.6 (47.5) | −3.5 (25.7) | −12.9 (8.8) |
Iqaluit , NU [22] | YFB | 63°45′00″N068°33′00″W / 63.75000°N 68.55000°W | 34 m (112 ft) | −22.8 (−9.0) | −30.9 (−23.6) | 12.3 (54.1) | 4.1 (39.4) | −5.6 (21.9) | −13.1 (8.4) |
Kamloops, BC [23] | YKA | 50°42′08″N120°26′31″W / 50.70222°N 120.44194°W | 345.3 m (1,133 ft) | 0.4 (32.7) | −5.9 (21.4) | 28.9 (84.0) | 14.2 (57.6) | 14.8 (58.6) | 3.7 (38.7) |
Kugluktuk, NU [24] | YCO | 67°49′00″N115°08′38″W / 67.81667°N 115.14389°W | 23 m (75 ft) | −23.2 (−9.8) | −31.4 (−24.5) | 15.6 (60.1) | 6.1 (43.0) | −6.1 (21.0) | −14.4 (6.1) |
La Ronge, SK [25] | YVC | 55°09′00″N105°16′00″W / 55.15000°N 105.26667°W | 379 m (1,243 ft) | −13.4 (7.9) | −24.2 (−11.6) | 23.5 (74.3) | 11.5 (52.7) | 5.9 (42.6) | −5.5 (22.1) |
Mayo, YT [26] | YMA | 63°37′00″N135°52′00″W / 63.61667°N 135.86667°W | 504 m (1,654 ft) | −18.0 (−0.4) | −28.2 (−18.8) | 22.8 (73.0) | 9.4 (48.9) | 3.4 (38.1) | −8.2 (17.2) |
Moncton, NB [27] | YQM | 46°06′19″N064°41′02″W / 46.10528°N 64.68389°W | 71 m (233 ft) | −3.7 (25.3) | −14.0 (6.8) | 24.7 (76.5) | 12.9 (55.2) | 10.7 (51.3) | 0.1 (32.2) |
Montreal, QC [28] | YUL | 45°28′00″N073°45′00″W / 45.46667°N 73.75000°W | 36 m (118 ft) | −5.3 (22.5) | −14.0 (6.8) | 26.3 (79.3) | 16.1 (61.0) | 11.5 (52.7) | 2.0 (35.6) |
Nain, NL [29] | YDP | 56°33′00″N061°41′00″W / 56.55000°N 61.68333°W | 6 m (20 ft) | −13.5 (7.7) | −21.6 (−6.9) | 14.9 (58.8) | 5.3 (41.5) | 1.7 (35.1) | −6.6 (20.1) |
Norman Wells, NT [30] | YVQ | 65°16′57″N126°48′01″W / 65.28250°N 126.80028°W | 73 m (240 ft) | −22.2 (−8.0) | −29.9 (−21.8) | 22.5 (72.5) | 11.5 (52.7) | −0.4 (31.3) | −9.9 (14.2) |
Ottawa , ON [31] | YOW | 45°19′21″N075°40′09″W / 45.32250°N 75.66917°W | 114 m (374 ft) | −5.8 (21.6) | −14.8 (5.4) | 26.5 (79.7) | 15.5 (59.9) | 11.3 (52.3) | 1.4 (34.5) |
Princeton, BC [32] | CYDC | 49°28′05″N120°30′41″W / 49.46806°N 120.51139°W | 700 m (2,300 ft) | −1.4 (29.5) | −8.6 (16.5) | 26.3 (79.3) | 9.5 (49.1) | 12.9 (55.2) | 0.2 (32.4) |
Quebec City , QC [33] | YQB | 46°48′00″N071°23′00″W / 46.80000°N 71.38333°W | 74 m (243 ft) | −7.9 (17.8) | −17.7 (0.1) | 25.0 (77.0) | 13.5 (56.3) | 9.2 (48.6) | −0.8 (30.6) |
Regina , SK [34] | YQR | 50°26′00″N104°40′00″W / 50.43333°N 104.66667°W | 578 m (1,896 ft) | −9.3 (15.3) | −20.1 (−4.2) | 25.8 (78.4) | 11.9 (53.4) | 9.3 (48.7) | −3.2 (26.2) |
Resolute, NU [35] | YRB | 74°43′01″N094°58′10″W / 74.71694°N 94.96944°W | 68 m (223 ft) | −28.6 (−19.5) | −35.3 (−31.5) | 7.3 (45.1) | 1.7 (35.1) | −12.7 (9.1) | −18.6 (−1.5) |
Saskatoon, SK [36] | YXE | 52°10′00″N106°43′00″W / 52.16667°N 106.71667°W | 504 m (1,654 ft) | −10.1 (13.8) | −20.7 (−5.3) | 25.3 (77.5) | 11.6 (52.9) | 8.6 (47.5) | −3.5 (25.7) |
St. John's , NL [37] | YYT | 47°37′20″N052°44′34″W / 47.62222°N 52.74278°W | 141 m (463 ft) | −0.8 (30.6) | −8.2 (17.2) | 20.7 (69.3) | 10.9 (51.6) | 9.0 (48.2) | 1.0 (33.8) |
Summerside, PE [38] | YSU | 46°26′20″N063°49′54″W / 46.43889°N 63.83167°W | 20 m (66 ft) | −3.2 (26.2) | −12.1 (10.2) | 23.8 (74.8) | 14.6 (58.3) | 9.9 (49.8) | 1.6 (34.9) |
Sydney, NS [39] | YQY | 46°10′00″N060°02′53″W / 46.16667°N 60.04806°W | 62 m (203 ft) | −1.1 (30.0) | −9.6 (14.7) | 23.1 (73.6) | 12.6 (54.7) | 10.3 (50.5) | 1.4 (34.5) |
Thompson, MB [40] | YTH | 55°48′12″N097°51′45″W / 55.80333°N 97.86250°W | 224 m (735 ft) | −18.3 (−0.9) | −29.3 (−20.7) | 23.1 (73.6) | 9.1 (48.4) | 3.4 (38.1) | −9.1 (15.6) |
Timmins, ON [41] | YTS | 48°34′11″N081°22′36″W / 48.56972°N 81.37667°W | 295 m (968 ft) | −10.6 (12.9) | −23.0 (−9.4) | 24.2 (75.6) | 10.7 (51.3) | 7.9 (46.2) | −4.3 (24.3) |
Toronto , ON [42] | YYZ | 43°40′38″N079°37′50″W / 43.67722°N 79.63056°W | 173 m (568 ft) | −1.5 (29.3) | −9.4 (15.1) | 27.1 (80.8) | 15.8 (60.4) | 13.0 (55.4) | 3.3 (37.9) |
Vancouver, BC [43] | YVR | 49°11′42″N123°10′55″W / 49.19500°N 123.18194°W | 4 m (13 ft) | 6.9 (44.4) | 1.4 (34.5) | 22.2 (72.0) | 13.7 (56.7) | 13.9 (57.0) | 6.8 (44.2) |
Victoria , BC [44] | YYJ | 48°38′50″N123°25′33″W / 48.64722°N 123.42583°W | 20 m (66 ft) | 7.6 (45.7) | 1.5 (34.7) | 22.4 (72.3) | 11.3 (52.3) | 14.4 (57.9) | 5.6 (42.1) |
Whitehorse , YT [45] | YXY | 60°42′34″N135°04′08″W / 60.70944°N 135.06889°W | 706 m (2,316 ft) | −11.0 (12.2) | −19.2 (−2.6) | 20.6 (69.1) | 8.0 (46.4) | 5.1 (41.2) | −5.2 (22.6) |
Windsor, ON [46] | YQG | 42°16′32″N82°57′20″W / 42.27556°N 82.95556°W | 190 m (620 ft) | −0.3 (31.5) | −7.3 (18.9) | 28.1 (82.6) | 17.9 (64.2) | 14.4 (57.9) | 5.4 (41.7) |
Winnipeg , MB [47] | YWG | 49°55′00″N097°14′00″W / 49.91667°N 97.23333°W | 239 m (784 ft) | −11.3 (11.7) | −21.4 (−6.5) | 25.9 (78.6) | 13.5 (56.3) | 8.7 (47.7) | −2.7 (27.1) |
Yarmouth, NS [48] | YQI | 43°49′51″N066°05′19″W / 43.83083°N 66.08861°W | 43 m (141 ft) | 0.8 (33.4) | −6.9 (19.6) | 20.9 (69.6) | 12.7 (54.9) | 11.1 (52.0) | 3.2 (37.8) |
Yellowknife , NT [49] | YZF | 62°27′46″N114°26′25″W / 62.46278°N 114.44028°W | 206 m (676 ft) | −21.6 (−6.9) | −29.5 (−21.1) | 21.3 (70.3) | 12.6 (54.7) | 0.0 (32.0) | −8.6 (16.5) |
Location | Region | Days >30° | Days >20° | Frosts | Max temp <0° | Days <-10° | Days <-20° | First frost | Last frost | Frost-free |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Baker Lake | NU | 0.21 | 13.1 | 270.5 | 225.5 | 206.3 | 158.2 | Aug 30 | Jun 25 | 65 days |
Brandon | MB | 15.9 | 109.8 | 202.3 | 110.0 | 108.6 | 52.6 | Sep 14 | May 24 | 112 days |
Calgary | AB | 5.1 | 87.2 | 194.4 | 59.3 | 71.3 | 21.7 | Sep 16 | May 21 | 117 days |
Charlottetown | PE | 0.9 | 79.3 | 160.2 | 72.6 | 54.6 | 6.5 | Oct 17 | May 16 | 153 days |
Churchill | MB | 1.1 | 28.0 | 247.5 | 193.7 | 171.0 | 117.2 | Sep 15 | Jun 19 | 87 days |
Corner Brook | NL | 0.7 | 58.5 | 159.3 | 79.0 | 43.0 | 3.4 | Oct 13 | May 19 | 146 days |
Dawson Creek | BC | 2.6 | 62.1 | 243.7 | 156.9 | 162.4 | 104.1 | Aug 13 | Jun 3 | 70 days |
Edmonton | AB | 4.0 | 88.4 | 179.7 | 82.6 | 75.3 | 24.6 | Sep 22 | May 9 | 135 days |
Fort Frances | ON | 6.9 | 100.4 | 195.4 | 106.6 | 90.8 | 44.2 | Sep 17 | May 27 | 108 days |
Fort McMurray | AB | 5.9 | 84.2 | 212.1 | 115.8 | 119.5 | 57.5 | Sep 6 | May 30 | 97 days |
Fort Nelson | BC | 3.3 | 78.1 | 214.2 | 133.6 | 139.1 | 79.8 | Sep 11 | May 16 | 117 days |
Fort Simpson | NT | 4.2 | 73.8 | 224.3 | 159.3 | 157.3 | 101.1 | Sep 1 | May 26 | 97 days |
Fredericton | NB | 9.0 | 104.4 | 172.9 | 69.1 | 72.6 | 20.0 | Sep 25 | May 17 | 130 days |
Halifax (city) | NS | 1.0 | 78.2 | 131.0 | 47.0 | 29.8 | 0.8 | Oct 31 | May 1 | 182 days |
Hamilton | ON | 18.5 | 119.8 | 129.0 | 48.6 | 32.6 | 2.5 | Oct 16 | Apr 21 | 177 days |
High Level | AB | 2.7 | 76.5 | 224.8 | 136.3 | 138.9 | 79.9 | Sep 1 | Jun 1 | 91 days |
Iqaluit | NU | 0.0 | 2.1 | 265.8 | 212.2 | 182.4 | 130.6 | Sep 3 | Jun 20 | 74 days |
Kamloops | BC | 32.8 | 132.0 | 119.2 | 34.5 | 19.9 | 3.4 | Oct 10 | Apr 24 | 169 days |
Kuujjuaq | QC | 0.3 | 21.7 | 244.0 | 177.1 | 155.6 | 104.5 | Sep 9 | Jun 18 | 82 days |
Labrador City | NL | 0.4 | 33.1 | 232.8 | 155.3 | 144.5 | 90.6 | Sep 14 | Jun 9 | 95 days |
Liverpool | NS | 3.3 | 102.7 | 146.8 | 42.0 | 34.6 | 3.6 | Oct 5 | May 15 | 142 days |
Medicine Hat | AB | 26.5 | 120.4 | 174.6 | 58.4 | 64.4 | 22.8 | Sep 25 | May 13 | 134 days |
Moose Jaw | SK | 21.7 | 115.1 | 188.7 | 86.7 | 87.7 | 37.7 | Sep 17 | May 17 | 121 days |
Moncton | NB | 6.8 | 99.1 | 166.9 | 70.0 | 58.9 | 14.0 | Oct 2 | May 23 | 131 days |
Montreal | QC | 9.3 | 117.1 | 147.7 | 74.0 | 62.9 | 14.3 | Oct 12 | Apr 29 | 165 days |
Moosonee | ON | 6.1 | 66.3 | 224.9 | 129.1 | 125.6 | 78.4 | Aug 25 | Jun 26 | 58 days |
Nain | NL | 0.5 | 16.4 | 230.1 | 148.1 | 126.7 | 62.4 | Sep 24 | Jun 18 | 96 days |
Nanaimo | BC | 6.7 | 96.9 | 71.5 | 2.6 | 1.8 | 0.0 | Oct 26 | Apr 14 | 194 days |
Osoyoos (west) | BC | 36.0 | 142.4 | 105.5 | 25.3 | 10.7 | 0.3 | Oct 9 | Apr 22 | 169 days |
Ottawa | ON | 13.0 | 116.4 | 154.9 | 77.5 | 67.9 | 16.3 | Oct 7 | Apr 30 | 157 days |
Princeton | BC | 24.2 | 107.6 | 177.8 | 50.6 | 33.6 | 6.4 | Sep 17 | May 23 | 116 Days |
Quebec City | QC | 5.1 | 94.1 | 170.7 | 94.9 | 84.8 | 31.1 | Oct 4 | May 11 | 145 days |
Regina | SK | 16.2 | 108.1 | 201.2 | 103.0 | 102.3 | 43.1 | Sep 12 | May 20 | 115 days |
Saguenay | QC | 7.7 | 86.8 | 189.7 | 104.9 | 99.2 | 46.6 | Sep 23 | May 22 | 123 days |
Saint John | NB | 0.9 | 74.3 | 167.2 | 60.7 | 65.7 | 14.1 | Oct 2 | May 16 | 138 days |
Saskatoon | SK | 13.1 | 103.1 | 200.4 | 108.0 | 105.6 | 47.1 | Sep 15 | May 21 | 117 days |
St. John's | NL | 0.1 | 52.6 | 166.6 | 65.9 | 34.9 | 0.6 | Oct 17 | May 30 | 139 days |
Sydney | NS | 2.3 | 74.9 | 160.8 | 60.0 | 43.2 | 2.7 | Oct 17 | May 21 | 149 days |
Thompson | MB | 3.8 | 66.9 | 238.6 | 152.5 | 150.0 | 100.0 | Aug 27 | Jun 14 | 74 days |
Toronto | ON | 11.5 | 117.2 | 100.8 | 45.9 | 21.9 | 1.2 | Nov 3 | Apr 13 | 203 days |
Toronto Airport | ON | 15.8 | 122.3 | 136.5 | 52.8 | 38.9 | 3.9 | Oct 16 | Apr 30 | 168 days |
Vancouver | BC | 0.3 | 76.5 | 40.9 | 3.4 | 1.6 | 0.0 | Nov 10 | Mar 18 | 237 days |
Victoria | BC | 2.1 | 78.9 | 46.0 | 2.0 | 0.4 | 0.0 | Nov 5 | Apr 7 | 211 days |
Windsor | ON | 23.5 | 138.9 | 116.3 | 44.3 | 24.1 | 1.2 | Oct 30 | Apr 17 | 195 days |
Winnipeg | MB | 13.3 | 109.7 | 193.7 | 113.0 | 102.2 | 50.1 | Sep 22 | May 23 | 121 days |
Whitehorse | YT | 0.9 | 41.5 | 221.3 | 118.7 | 106.4 | 48.7 | Aug 25 | Jun 5 | 80 days |
Yarmouth | NS | 0.0 | 56.7 | 126.1 | 36.0 | 21.7 | 0.1 | Oct 21 | Apr 27 | 176 days |
Yellowknife | NT | 0.4 | 42.8 | 224.5 | 175.2 | 160.9 | 105.2 | Sep 18 | May 25 | 115 days |
Climate data for Canada | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 22.2 (72.0) | 26.5 (79.7) | 28.9 (84.0) | 37.2 (99.0) | 42.2 (108.0) | 49.6 (121.3) | 45.0 (113.0) | 43.3 (110.0) | 40.0 (104.0) | 33.9 (93.0) | 29.4 (85.0) | 25.0 (77.0) | 49.6 (121.3) |
Record low °C (°F) | −61.2 (−78.2) | −63.0 (−81.4) | −54.7 (−66.5) | −48.9 (−56.0) | −35.0 (−31.0) | −16.7 (1.9) | −7.0 (19.4) | −16.7 (1.9) | −31.7 (−25.1) | −41.7 (−43.1) | −52.8 (−63.0) | −61.7 (−79.1) | −63.0 (−81.4) |
[ citation needed ] |
Month | Temperature | Date | Location |
---|---|---|---|
January | 22.2 °C (72.0 °F) | January 26, 1950 | Niagara Falls, Ontario |
February | 26.5 °C (79.7 °F) | February 27, 1992 | Fort Macleod, Alberta |
March | 28.9 °C (84.0 °F) | March 23, 1911 | Medicine Hat, Alberta |
April | 37.2 °C (99.0 °F) | April 21, 1980 | Emerson, Manitoba |
May | 42.2 °C (108.0 °F) | May 30, 1934 | Morden, Manitoba |
June | 49.6 °C (121.3 °F) | June 29, 2021 | Lytton, British Columbia |
July | 45 °C (113.0 °F) | July 5, 1937 | Midale and Yellow Grass, Saskatchewan |
August | 43.3 °C (109.9 °F) | August 6, 1949 and August 5, 1961 | Rosetown and Maple Creek, Saskatchewan |
September | 40 °C (104.0 °F) | September 8, 1906 | Morden, Manitoba |
October | 33.9 °C (93.0 °F) | October 6, 1889 | Medicine Hat, Alberta |
November | 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) | November 4, 1916 | Jenner, Alberta |
December | 25 °C (77.0 °F) | December 8, 1903 | Fort Macleod, Alberta |
Month | Temperature | Date | Location |
---|---|---|---|
January | −61.2 °C (−78.2 °F) | January 11, 1911 | Fort Vermilion, Alberta |
February | −63.0 °C (−81.4 °F) | February 3, 1947 | Snag, Yukon |
March | −54.7 °C (−66.5 °F) | March 4, 2017 | Mould Bay, Northwest Territories |
April | −48.9 °C (−56.0 °F) | April 8, 1964 | Eureka, Nunavut |
May | −35 °C (−31 °F) | May 13, 1935 | Cambridge Bay, Nunavut |
June | −16.7 °C (1.9 °F) | June 5, 1974 | Resolute, Nunavut |
July | −7.0 °C (19.4 °F) | July 8, 1981 | Lake Louise, Alberta |
August | −16.7 °C (1.9 °F) | August 31, 1915 | High River, Alberta |
September | −31.7 °C (−25.1 °F) | September 25, 1961 | Eureka, Nunavut |
October | −41.7 °C (−43.1 °F) | October 29, 1953 | Eureka, Nunavut |
November | −52.8 °C (−63.0 °F) | November 27, 1948 | Snag, Yukon |
December | −61.7 °C (−79.1 °F) | December 31, 1910 | Fort Good Hope, Northwest Territories |
The table can be reordered by clicking on the box in each column. Places in italics are provincial capital, bold is the national capital.
Community | Weather station | Location | Elevation | January (Record high °C (°F)) | January (Record low °C (°F)) | July (Record high °C (°F)) | July (Record low °C (°F)) | Annual (Extreme high °C (°F)) | Annual (Extreme low °C (°F)) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Alberton, PE [7] | 46°51′00″N064°01′00″W / 46.85000°N 64.01667°W | 3 m (9.8 ft) | 13.2 (55.8) | −31.7 (−25.1) | 33.0 (91.4) | 3.0 (37.4) | 33.3 (91.9) | −33.0 (−27.4) | |
Alert, NU [53] [54] | YLT | 82°30′05″N62°20′20″W / 82.50139°N 62.33889°W | 30.5 m (100 ft) | 0.0 (32.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) | 20.0 (68.0) | −6.3 (20.7) | 20.0 (68.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
Baker Lake, NU | YBK | 64°17′56″N096°04′40″W / 64.29889°N 96.07778°W | 18.6 m (61 ft) | −1.7 (28.9) | −50.6 (−59.1) | 33.6 (92.5) | −1.7 (28.9) | 33.6 (92.5) | −50.6 (−59.1) |
Baie-Comeau, QC [9] | YBC | 49°08′00″N068°12′00″W / 49.13333°N 68.20000°W | 22 m (72 ft) | 11.4 (52.5) | −47.2 (−53.0) | 32.8 (91.0) | 0.6 (33.1) | 32.8 (91.0) | −47.2 (−53.0) |
Calgary, AB [10] | YYC | 51°06′50″N114°01′13″W / 51.11389°N 114.02028°W | 1,084 m (3,556 ft) | 17.6 (63.7) | −44.4 (−47.9) | 36.1 (97.0) | −0.6 (30.9) | 36.5 (97.7) | −45.0 (−49.0) |
Charlottetown , PE [11] | YYG | 46°17′19″N063°07′43″W / 46.28861°N 63.12861°W | 49 m (161 ft) | 15.1 (59.2) | −30.5 (−22.9) | 33.9 (93.0) | 3.3 (37.9) | 34.4 (93.9) | −30.5 (−22.9) |
Churchill, MB [12] [54] | YYQ | 58°44′21″N094°03′59″W / 58.73917°N 94.06639°W | 29 m (95 ft) | 1.7 (35.1) | −45.0 (−49.0) | 34.0 (93.2) | 1.1 (34.0) | 36.9 (98.4) | −45.4 (−49.7) |
Corner Brook, NL [13] | 48°57′00″N057°57′00″W / 48.95000°N 57.95000°W | 5 m (16 ft) | 16.5 (61.7) | −31.7 (−25.1) | 34.4 (93.9) | 1.1 (34.0) | 35.0 (95.0) | −31.7 (−25.1) | |
Dawson City, YT [14] | YDA | 64°02′35″N139°07′40″W / 64.04306°N 139.12778°W | 370 m (1,210 ft) | 9.7 (49.5) | −53.8 (−64.8) | 33.5 (92.3) | −2.0 (28.4) | 34.7 (94.5) | −55.8 (−68.4) |
Edmonton , AB [15] [54] | YXD | 53°34′24″N113°31′06″W / 53.57333°N 113.51833°W | 671 m (2,201 ft) | 13.8 (56.8) | −49.4 (−56.9) | 36.7 (98.1) | −1.7 (28.9) | 37.2 (99.0) | −49.4 (−56.9) |
Edmundston, NB [16] | 47°20′47″N068°11′16″W / 47.34639°N 68.18778°W | 163 m (535 ft) | 13.0 (55.4) | −41.0 (−41.8) | 36.0 (96.8) | 2.0 (35.6) | 36.0 (96.8) | −41.0 (−41.8) | |
Fort Nelson, BC [17] | YYE | 58°50′11″N122°35′50″W / 58.83639°N 122.59722°W | 382 m (1,253 ft) | 10.7 (51.3) | −51.7 (−61.1) | 36.7 (98.1) | 1.1 (34.0) | 36.7 (98.1) | −51.7 (−61.1) |
Fredericton , NB [18] | YFC | 45°52′20″N066°31′40″W / 45.87222°N 66.52778°W | 21 m (69 ft) | 14.6 (58.3) | −35.6 (−32.1) | 36.7 (98.1) | 1.7 (35.1) | 37.2 (99.0) | −37.2 (−35.0) |
Halifax , NS [19] | YHZ | 44°52′48″N063°30′00″W / 44.88000°N 63.50000°W | 145 m (476 ft) | 14.8 (58.6) | −28.5 (−19.3) | 33.9 (93.0) | 6.1 (43.0) | 35.0 (95.0) | −28.5 (−19.3) |
High Level, AB [20] | YOJ | 58°37′17″N117°09′53″W / 58.62139°N 117.16472°W | 338 m (1,109 ft) | 11.3 (52.3) | −50.6 (−59.1) | 34.4 (93.9) | −0.2 (31.6) | 35.2 (95.4) | −50.6 (−59.1) |
Inuvik, NT [21] | YEV | 68°18′15″N133°28′58″W / 68.30417°N 133.48278°W | 68 m (223 ft) | 5.4 (41.7) | −54.4 (−65.9) | 32.8 (91.0) | −3.3 (26.1) | 32.8 (91.0) | −56.7 (−70.1) |
Iqaluit , NU [22] | YFB | 63°45′00″N068°33′00″W / 63.75000°N 68.55000°W | 34 m (112 ft) | 3.9 (39.0) | −45.0 (−49.0) | 26.1 (79.0) | −2.8 (27.0) | 26.1 (79.0) | −45.6 (−50.1) |
Kugluktuk, NU [24] | YCO | 67°49′00″N115°08′38″W / 67.81667°N 115.14389°W | 23 m (75 ft) | 0.8 (33.4) | −47.3 (−53.1) | 34.9 (94.8) | −0.8 (30.6) | 34.9 (94.8) | −47.3 (−53.1) |
La Ronge, SK [25] | YVC | 55°09′00″N105°16′00″W / 55.15000°N 105.26667°W | 379 m (1,243 ft) | 12.5 (54.5) | −48.3 (−54.9) | 35.5 (95.9) | 1.1 (34.0) | 36.1 (97.0) | −48.3 (−54.9) |
Mayo, YT [26] | YMA | 63°37′00″N135°52′00″W / 63.61667°N 135.86667°W | 504 m (1,654 ft) | 10.1 (50.2) | −58.3 (−72.9) | 35.6 (96.1) | −2.8 (27.0) | 36.1 (97.0) | −62.2 (−80.0) |
Moncton, NB [27] | YQM | 46°06′19″N064°41′02″W / 46.10528°N 64.68389°W | 71 m (233 ft) | 16.1 (61.0) | −32.2 (−26.0) | 35.6 (96.1) | 1.2 (34.2) | 37.2 (99.0) | −32.2 (−26.0) |
Montreal, QC [28] | YUL | 45°28′00″N073°45′00″W / 45.46667°N 73.75000°W | 36 m (118 ft) | 13.9 (57.0) | −37.8 (−36.0) | 35.6 (96.1) | 6.1 (43.0) | 37.6 (99.7) | −37.8 (−36.0) |
Nain, NL [29] | YDP | 56°33′00″N061°41′00″W / 56.55000°N 61.68333°W | 6 m (20 ft) | 10.5 (50.9) | −39.4 (−38.9) | 33.3 (91.9) | −2.8 (27.0) | 33.3 (91.9) | −41.5 (−42.7) |
Norman Wells, NT [30] | YVQ | 65°16′57″N126°48′01″W / 65.28250°N 126.80028°W | 73 m (240 ft) | 12.4 (54.3) | −52.2 (−62.0) | 35.0 (95.0) | −1.1 (30.0) | 35.0 (95.0) | −54.4 (−65.9) |
Ottawa , ON [31] | YOW | 45°19′21″N075°40′09″W / 45.32250°N 75.66917°W | 114 m (374 ft) | 12.9 (55.2) | −35.6 (−32.1) | 36.7 (98.1) | 5.0 (41.0) | 37.8 (100.0) | −36.1 (−33.0) |
Princeton, BC [32] | CYDC | 49°28′05″N120°30′41″W / 49.46806°N 120.51139°W | 700 m (2,300 ft) | 13.3 (55.9) | −41.1 (−42.0) | 41.7 (107.1) | 0.0 (32.0) | 41.7 (107.1) | −42.8 (−45.0) |
Quebec City , QC [33] | YQB | 46°48′00″N071°23′00″W / 46.80000°N 71.38333°W | 74 m (243 ft) | 10.0 (50.0) | −35.4 (−31.7) | 35.6 (96.1) | 3.9 (39.0) | 35.6 (96.1) | −36.1 (−33.0) |
Regina , SK [34] | YQR | 50°26′00″N104°40′00″W / 50.43333°N 104.66667°W | 578 m (1,896 ft) | 10.4 (50.7) | −50.0 (−58.0) | 43.3 (109.9) | −2.2 (28.0) | 43.3 (109.9) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
Resolute, NU [35] | YRB | 74°43′01″N094°58′10″W / 74.71694°N 94.96944°W | 68 m (223 ft) | −0.8 (30.6) | −52.2 (−62.0) | 18.5 (65.3) | −3.1 (26.4) | 18.5 (65.3) | −52.2 (−62.0) |
Saskatoon, SK [36] | YXE | 52°10′00″N106°43′00″W / 52.16667°N 106.71667°W | 504 m (1,654 ft) | 10.0 (50.0) | −48.9 (−56.0) | 40.6 (105.1) | −3.3 (26.1) | 40.6 (105.1) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
St. John's , NL [37] | YYT | 47°37′20″N052°44′34″W / 47.62222°N 52.74278°W | 141 m (463 ft) | 15.7 (60.3) | −23.3 (−9.9) | 31.5 (88.7) | −1.1 (30.0) | 31.5 (88.7) | −23.8 (−10.8) |
Summerside, PE [38] | YSU | 46°26′20″N063°49′54″W / 46.43889°N 63.83167°W | 20 m (66 ft) | 12.1 (53.8) | −29.9 (−21.8) | 33.3 (91.9) | 6.7 (44.1) | 33.3 (91.9) | −29.9 (−21.8) |
Sydney, NS [39] | YQY | 46°10′00″N060°02′53″W / 46.16667°N 60.04806°W | 62 m (203 ft) | 16.9 (62.4) | −26.2 (−15.2) | 33.9 (93.0) | 2.2 (36.0) | 35.5 (95.9) | −27.3 (−17.1) |
Thompson, MB [40] | YTH | 55°48′12″N097°51′45″W / 55.80333°N 97.86250°W | 224 m (735 ft) | 8.1 (46.6) | −48.9 (−56.0) | 35.9 (96.6) | −1.1 (30.0) | 37.4 (99.3) | −48.9 (−56.0) |
Timmins, ON [41] | YTS | 48°34′11″N081°22′36″W / 48.56972°N 81.37667°W | 295 m (968 ft) | 7.6 (45.7) | −44.2 (−47.6) | 38.9 (102.0) | −0.5 (31.1) | 38.9 (102.0) | −45.6 (−50.1) |
Toronto , ON [42] | YYZ | 43°40′38″N079°37′50″W / 43.67722°N 79.63056°W | 173 m (568 ft) | 17.6 (63.7) | −31.3 (−24.3) | 37.6 (99.7) | 3.9 (39.0) | 38.3 (100.9) | −31.3 (−24.3) |
Vancouver, BC [43] | YVR | 49°11′42″N123°10′55″W / 49.19500°N 123.18194°W | 4 m (13 ft) | 15.3 (59.5) | −17.8 (0.0) | 34.4 (93.9) | 6.7 (44.1) | 34.4 (93.9) | −17.8 (0.0) |
Victoria , BC [44] | YYJ | 48°38′50″N123°25′33″W / 48.64722°N 123.42583°W | 20 m (66 ft) | 16.1 (61.0) | −15.6 (3.9) | 36.3 (97.3) | 4.1 (39.4) | 36.3 (97.3) | −15.6 (3.9) |
Whitehorse , YT [45] | YXY | 60°42′34″N135°04′08″W / 60.70944°N 135.06889°W | 706 m (2,316 ft) | 9.0 (48.2) | −52.2 (−62.0) | 32.8 (91.0) | −0.5 (31.1) | 34.4 (93.9) | −52.2 (−62.0) |
Windsor, ON [46] | YQG | 42°16′32″N82°57′20″W / 42.27556°N 82.95556°W | 190 m (620 ft) | 17.8 (64.0) | −29.1 (−20.4) | 38.3 (100.9) | 5.6 (42.1) | 40.2 (104.4) | −29.1 (−20.4) |
Winnipeg , MB [47] | YWG | 49°55′00″N097°14′00″W / 49.91667°N 97.23333°W | 239 m (784 ft) | 7.8 (46.0) | −42.2 (−44.0) | 37.8 (100.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | 40.6 (105.1) | −45.0 (−49.0) |
Yarmouth, NS [48] | YQI | 43°49′51″N066°05′19″W / 43.83083°N 66.08861°W | 43 m (141 ft) | 14.0 (57.2) | −21.3 (−6.3) | 30.0 (86.0) | 5.8 (42.4) | 30.3 (86.5) | −23.6 (−10.5) |
Yellowknife , NT [49] | YZF | 62°27′46″N114°26′25″W / 62.46278°N 114.44028°W | 206 m (676 ft) | 3.4 (38.1) | −51.2 (−60.2) | 32.5 (90.5) | 0.6 (33.1) | 32.5 (90.5) | −51.2 (−60.2) |
Climate change is greatly impacting Canada's environment and landscapes. Extreme weather has become more frequent and severe because of the continued release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The number of climate change–related events, such as the 2021 British Columbia Floods and an increasing number of forest fires, has become an increasing concern over time. [56] Canada's annual average temperature over land warmed by 1.7 degrees Celsius between 1948 and 2016. The rate of warming is highest in Canada's north, the Prairies, and northern British Columbia. The country's precipitation has increased in recent years and wildfires expanded from seasonal events to year-round threats.
As of 2022 [update] Canada was the world's 11th highest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2) [57] [58] and as of 2021 the 7th highest emitter of greenhouse gases. [59] Canada has a long history of producing industrial emissions going back to the late 19th century. In 2022 transport, oil and gas extraction, and fugitive emissions together emitted 82% of the country's total emissions. [60] From 1990 to 2022, GHG emissions from conventional oil production increased by 24%, those from multi-stage fracturing techniques increased by 56%, and emissions from oil sands production increased by 467%. [61]
Canada committed to reducing its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 under the Paris Agreement. In July 2021, Canada enhanced the Paris Agreement plans with a new goal of reducing emissions by 40–45% below 2005 levels by 2030, [62] enacting the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. [60] In 2019, the House of Commons voted to declare a national climate emergency in Canada. Several climate change mitigation policies have been implemented in the country, such as carbon pricing, emissions trading and climate change funding programs.Weather Stations locations in Canada.
The greenhouse effect occurs when greenhouse gases in a planet's atmosphere insulate the planet from losing heat to space, raising its surface temperature. Surface heating can happen from an internal heat source as in the case of Jupiter, or from its host star as in the case of the Earth. In the case of Earth, the Sun emits shortwave radiation (sunlight) that passes through greenhouse gases to heat the Earth's surface. In response, the Earth's surface emits longwave radiation that is mostly absorbed by greenhouse gases. The absorption of longwave radiation prevents it from reaching space, reducing the rate at which the Earth can cool off.
A carbon footprint (or greenhouse gas footprint) is a calculated value or index that makes it possible to compare the total amount of greenhouse gases that an activity, product, company or country adds to the atmosphere. Carbon footprints are usually reported in tonnes of emissions (CO2-equivalent) per unit of comparison. Such units can be for example tonnes CO2-eq per year, per kilogram of protein for consumption, per kilometer travelled, per piece of clothing and so forth. A product's carbon footprint includes the emissions for the entire life cycle. These run from the production along the supply chain to its final consumption and disposal.
The city of Vancouver, located in British Columbia, Canada, has a temperate oceanic climate. Its summer months are typically dry and modestly warm, while the rest of the year is rainy, especially between October and March. The region has frequent cloudy and overcast skies during the late fall, winter, and spring.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from human activities intensify the greenhouse effect. This contributes to climate change. Carbon dioxide, from burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas, is one of the most important factors in causing climate change. The largest emitters are China followed by the United States. The United States has higher emissions per capita. The main producers fueling the emissions globally are large oil and gas companies. Emissions from human activities have increased atmospheric carbon dioxide by about 50% over pre-industrial levels. The growing levels of emissions have varied, but have been consistent among all greenhouse gases. Emissions in the 2010s averaged 56 billion tons a year, higher than any decade before. Total cumulative emissions from 1870 to 2022 were 703 GtC, of which 484±20 GtC from fossil fuels and industry, and 219±60 GtC from land use change. Land-use change, such as deforestation, caused about 31% of cumulative emissions over 1870–2022, coal 32%, oil 24%, and gas 10%.
The United States produced 5.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2020, the second largest in the world after greenhouse gas emissions by China and among the countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person. In 2019 China is estimated to have emitted 27% of world GHG, followed by the United States with 11%, then India with 6.6%. In total the United States has emitted a quarter of world GHG, more than any other country. Annual emissions are over 15 tons per person and, amongst the top eight emitters, is the highest country by greenhouse gas emissions per person.
Climate change has serious effects on Russia's climate, including average temperatures and precipitation, as well as permafrost melting, more frequent wildfires, flooding and heatwaves. Changes may affect inland flash floods, more frequent coastal flooding and increased erosion reduced snow cover and glacier melting, and may ultimately lead to species losses and changes in ecosystem functioning.
The climate of Finland is influenced most by its latitude: Finland is located between 60 and 70 N. Because of Finland's northern location, winter is the longest season. Only on the south coast and in the southwest is summer as long as winter. On average, winter lasts from early January to late February in the outermost islands in the archipelago and the warmest locations along the southwestern coast – notably in Hanko – and from early October to mid May in the most elevated locations, such as northwestern Lapland and the lowest valleys in northeastern Lapland. This means that southern portions of the country are snow-covered about three to four months of the year, and the northern for about seven months. The long winter causes about half of the annual 500 to 600 millimetres precipitation in the north to fall as snow. Precipitation in the south amounts to about 600 to 700 millimetres annually. Like that of the north, it occurs all through the year, though not so much of it is snow.
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the gases in the atmosphere that raise the surface temperature of planets such as the Earth. What distinguishes them from other gases is that they absorb the wavelengths of radiation that a planet emits, resulting in the greenhouse effect. The Earth is warmed by sunlight, causing its surface to radiate heat, which is then mostly absorbed by greenhouse gases. Without greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the average temperature of Earth's surface would be about −18 °C (0 °F), rather than the present average of 15 °C (59 °F).
Climate change is greatly impacting Canada's environment and landscapes. Extreme weather has become more frequent and severe because of the continued release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The number of climate change–related events, such as the 2021 British Columbia Floods and an increasing number of forest fires, has become an increasing concern over time. Canada's annual average temperature over land warmed by 1.7 degrees Celsius between 1948 and 2016. The rate of warming is highest in Canada's north, the Prairies, and northern British Columbia. The country's precipitation has increased in recent years and wildfires expanded from seasonal events to year-round threats.
Climate change has resulted in an increase in temperature of 2.3 °C (4.14 °F) (2022) in Europe compared to pre-industrial levels. Europe is the fastest warming continent in the world. Europe's climate is getting warmer due to anthropogenic activity. According to international climate experts, global temperature rise should not exceed 2 °C to prevent the most dangerous consequences of climate change; without reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, this could happen before 2050. Climate change has implications for all regions of Europe, with the extent and nature of impacts varying across the continent.
Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP) are climate change scenarios to project future greenhouse gas concentrations. These pathways describe future greenhouse gas concentrations and have been formally adopted by the IPCC. The pathways describe different climate change scenarios, all of which were considered possible depending on the amount of greenhouse gases (GHG) emitted in the years to come. The four RCPs – originally RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6, and RCP8.5 – are labelled after the expected changes in radiative forcing from the year 1750 to the year 2100. The IPCC Fifth Assessment Report (AR5) began to use these four pathways for climate modeling and research in 2014. The higher values mean higher greenhouse gas emissions and therefore higher global surface temperatures and more pronounced effects of climate change. The lower RCP values, on the other hand, are more desirable for humans but would require more stringent climate change mitigation efforts to achieve them.
Climate change has led to extreme weather events in South Korea that affects: social, economy, industry, culture, and many other sectors. South Korea is experiencing changes in climate parameters. Such parameters include annual temperature, rainfall amounts, and precipitation.
In France, climate change has caused some the greatest annual temperature increases registered in any country in Europe. The 2019 heat wave saw record temperatures of 46.0 °C. Heat waves and other extreme weather events are expected to increase with continued climate change. Other expected environmental impacts include increased floods due to both sea level rise and increased glacier melt. These environmental changes will lead to shifts in ecosystems and affect local organisms. Climate change will also cause economic losses in France, particularly in the agriculture and fisheries sectors.
The climate of Greece is changing by way of increased drought, flooding, wildfires and sea level rise. These extreme weather conditions are likely to become more frequent and as a result landscapes and biodiversity will be affected. Climate change will also cause human activities such as land-use change, urbanisation and soil degradation to further affect Greek's ecosystems. Ecosystems in Greece are already at their tipping point, close to their environmental limits. Policies and laws have been put in place by the Greek government to try to manage these issues.
A climate target, climate goal or climate pledge is a measurable long-term commitment for climate policy and energy policy with the aim of limiting the climate change. Researchers within, among others, the UN climate panel have identified probable consequences of global warming for people and nature at different levels of warming. Based on this, politicians in a large number of countries have agreed on temperature targets for warming, which is the basis for scientifically calculated carbon budgets and ways to achieve these targets. This in turn forms the basis for politically decided global and national emission targets for greenhouse gases, targets for fossil-free energy production and efficient energy use, and for the extent of planned measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
Climate change in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) refers to changes in the climate of the MENA region and the subsequent response, adaption and mitigation strategies of countries in the region. In 2018, the MENA region emitted 3.2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide and produced 8.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) despite making up only 6% of the global population. These emissions are mostly from the energy sector, an integral component of many Middle Eastern and North African economies due to the extensive oil and natural gas reserves that are found within the region. The region of Middle East is one of the most vulnerable to climate change. The impacts include increase in drought conditions, aridity, heatwaves and sea level rise.
Climate change in South Africa is leading to increased temperatures and rainfall variability. Evidence shows that extreme weather events are becoming more prominent due to climate change. This is a critical concern for South Africans as climate change will affect the overall status and wellbeing of the country, for example with regards to water resources. Just like many other parts of the world, climate research showed that the real challenge in South Africa was more related to environmental issues rather than developmental ones. The most severe effect will be targeting the water supply, which has huge effects on the agriculture sector. Speedy environmental changes are resulting in clear effects on the community and environmental level in different ways and aspects, starting with air quality, to temperature and weather patterns, reaching out to food security and disease burden.