This table shows record weather extremes in Canada.
Record | Extreme | Location | Date |
---|---|---|---|
Highest Temperature | 49.6 °C (121.3 °F) [1] | Lytton, British Columbia | June 29, 2021 |
Lowest Temperature | −63.0 °C (−81.4 °F) [2] [3] | Snag, Yukon | February 3, 1947 |
Greatest Rainfall (in 24 hours) | 489.2 mm (19.26 in) [2] | Ucluelet Brynnor Mines, British Columbia | October 6, 1967 |
Greatest Snowfall in one season* | 2,446.5 centimetres (963.2 in) [4] | Mount Copeland, British Columbia | 1971–1972 |
Greatest Snowfall in one day | 145 cm (57 in) [5] | Tahtsa Lake, British Columbia | Feb 11, 1999 |
Highest Humidex reading | 52.6 C (126.7 F) [6] | Carman, Manitoba | July 25, 2007 |
Lowest Wind chill reading | -78.9 C (-110 F) [7] [8] | Kugaaruk, Nunavut | January 13, 1975 |
Hottest Month (Ave. Max.) | 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) [9] | Nashlyn, Saskatchewan | July 1936 |
Coldest Month (Ave. Min.) | −50.1 °C (−58.2 °F) [10] | Eureka, Nunavut | February 1979 |
Greatest precipitation in one year | 9,479 mm (373.2 in) [11] | Hucuktlis Lake, British Columbia | 1997 |
Least precipitation in one year | 19.9 mm (0.78 in) [12] | Rea Point, Nunavut | 1978 |
Heaviest hailstone | 292.71 g (0.65 lb) [13] | Markerville, Alberta | August 1, 2022 |
Strongest tornado | F5 [14] 420–510 km/h (260–320 mph) | Elie, Manitoba | June 22, 2007 |
*A snowfall season is the amount of snow that falls between July 1 and June 30, spanning over the winter period.
Province | Driest Place | Average Annual Precipitation (mm) |
---|---|---|
British Columbia | Ashcroft | 208 |
Yukon | Komakuk Beach | 161 |
Alberta | Empress | 291 |
Northwest Territories | Mould Bay | 111 |
Saskatchewan | Alsask | 299 |
Nunavut | Eureka | 76 |
Manitoba | Churchill | 432 |
Ontario | Big Trout Lake | 609 |
Quebec | Inukjuak | 460 |
New Brunswick | Belledune | 970 |
Nova Scotia | Pugwash | 1038.2 [15] |
Prince Edward Island | Long River | 1046 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | Wabush | 852 |
Province | Extreme Rainfall Location | Maximum Daily Rainfall (mm) | Date |
---|---|---|---|
British Columbia | Ucluelet | 489 | 1967-10 |
Yukon | Quiet Lake | 91 | 1972-7 |
Alberta | Eckville | 213 | 1970-6 |
Northwest Territories | Fort Liard | 100 | 1986-7 |
Saskatchewan | Cypress Hill | 193 | 1998-6 |
Nunavut | Coral Harbour | 128 | 1973-10 |
Manitoba | Rivers | 239 | 2020-6 |
Ontario | Harrow | 264 | 1989-7 |
Quebec | Barrage des Quinze | 172 | 1932-8 |
New Brunswick | Alma | 179 | 1962-5 |
Nova Scotia | HRM | >250 | 2023-7 |
Prince Edward Island | Charlottetown | 164 | 1942-9 |
Newfoundland & Labrador | Red Harbour | 199 | 2005-3 |
The United Kingdom straddles the higher mid-latitudes between 49° and 61°N on the western seaboard of Europe. Since the UK is always in or close to the path of the polar front jet stream, frequent changes in pressure and unsettled weather are typical. Many types of weather can be experienced in a single day.
Cornwallis Island is one of the Queen Elizabeth Islands, part of the Arctic Archipelago, in the Qikiqtaaluk Region of Nunavut in the Canadian Arctic. It lies to the west of Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island in the world, and at its greatest length is about 113 km (70 mi). At 6,995 km2 (2,701 sq mi) in size, it is the 96th largest island in the world, and Canada's 21st largest island. Cornwallis Island is separated by the Wellington Channel from Devon Island, and by the Parry Channel from Somerset Island to the south. Northwest of Cornwallis Island lies Little Cornwallis Island, the biggest of a group of small islands at the north end of McDougall Sound, which separates Cornwallis Island from nearby Bathurst Island.
The climate of Virginia, a state on the east coast of the United States, is mild compared to more northern areas of the United States such as New England and the Midwest. Most of Virginia east of the Blue Ridge mountains, the southern part of the Shenandoah Valley, and the Roanoke Valley, has a humid subtropical climate. In the mountainous areas west of the Blue Ridge, the climate is warm-summer humid continental or oceanic climate. Severe weather, in the form of tornadoes, tropical cyclones, and winter storms, impacts the state on a regular basis. Central Virginia received significant snowfall of 20 inches in December 2009.
The geography of Toronto, Ontario, covers an area of 630 km2 (240 sq mi) and is bounded by Lake Ontario to the south; Etobicoke Creek, Eglinton Avenue, and Highway 427 to the west; Steeles Avenue to the north; and the Rouge River and the Scarborough–Pickering Townline to the east. In addition to Etobicoke Creek and the Rouge River, the city is trisected by two minor rivers and their tributaries, the Humber River in the west end and the Don River east of downtown. Both flow southward to Lake Ontario at Humber Bay and Toronto Harbour respectively, which are part of the longer Waterfront, as well as Etobicoke Creek and the Rouge River.
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.
A cold wave is a weather phenomenon that is distinguished by a cooling of the air. Specifically, as used by the U.S. National Weather Service, a cold wave is a rapid fall in temperature within a 24-hour period requiring substantially increased protection to agriculture, industry, commerce, and social activities. The precise criteria for a cold wave are the rate at which the temperature falls, and the minimum to which it falls. This minimum temperature is dependent on the geographical region and time of year.
Minnesota has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Minnesota's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, with each of the four seasons having its own distinct characteristics. The area near Lake Superior in the Minnesota Arrowhead region experiences weather unique from the rest of the state. The moderating effect of Lake Superior keeps the surrounding area relatively cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, giving that region a smaller yearly temperature variation. On the Köppen climate classification, much of the southern third of Minnesota—roughly from the Twin Cities region southward—falls in the hot summer zone (Dfa), and the northern two-thirds of Minnesota falls in the warm summer zone (Dfb).
Australia's climate is governed mostly by its size and by the hot, sinking air of the subtropical high pressure belt. This moves north-west and north-east with the seasons. The climate is variable, with frequent droughts lasting several seasons, thought to be caused in part by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation. Australia has a wide variety of climates due to its large geographical size. The largest part of Australia is desert or semi-arid. Only the south-east and south-west corners have a temperate climate and moderately fertile soil. The northern part of the country has a tropical climate, varying between grasslands and desert. Australia holds many heat-related records: the continent has the hottest extended region year-round, the areas with the hottest summer climate, and the highest sunshine duration.
Stony Rapids is a northern hamlet in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada. It is located 82 kilometres (51 mi) south of the border to the Northwest Territories, the community is astride the Fond du Lac River. This river connects the community to Fond-du-Lac, Uranium City and Camsell Portage.
North Dakota's climate is typical of a continental climate with cold winters and warm-hot summers. The state's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, and each of the four seasons has its own distinct characteristics. The eastern half of the state has a humid continental climate with warm to hot, somewhat humid summers and cold, windy winters, while the western half has a semi-arid climate with less precipitation and less humidity but similar temperature profiles. The areas east of the Missouri River get slightly colder winters, while those west of the stream get higher summer daytime temperatures. In general, the diurnal temperature difference is prone to be more significant in the west due to higher elevation and less humidity.
The climate of Georgia is a humid subtropical climate, with most of the state having short, mild winters and long, hot summers. The Atlantic Ocean on the east coast of Georgia and the hill country in the north impact the state's climate. Also, the Chattahoochee River divides Georgia into separate climatic regions with the mountain region to the northwest being cooler than the rest of the state; the average temperatures for the mountain region in January and July are 39 °F (4 °C) and 78 °F (26 °C) respectively. Winter in Georgia is characterized by mild temperatures and little snowfall around the state, with the potential for snow and ice increasing in the northern parts of the state. Summer daytime temperatures in Georgia often exceed 95 °F (35 °C). The state experiences widespread precipitation. Tornadoes and tropical cyclones are common.
The U.S. state of Vermont is located in the New England region of the northeastern United States and comprises 9,614 square miles (24,900 km2), making it the 45th-largest state. It is the only state that does not have any buildings taller than 124 feet (38 m). Land comprises 9,250 square miles (24,000 km2) and water comprises 365 square miles (950 km2), making it the 43rd-largest in land area and the 47th in water area. In total area, it is larger than El Salvador and smaller than Haiti. It is the only landlocked state in New England, and it is the easternmost and the smallest in area of all landlocked states.
The climate of Ireland is mild, humid and changeable with abundant rainfall and a lack of temperature extremes. Ireland's climate is defined as a temperate oceanic climate, or Cfb on the Köppen climate classification system, a classification it shares with most of northwest Europe. The island receives generally warm summers and cool winters.
The climate of New Jersey classification of the U.S. state of New Jersey is humid subtropical in South Jersey with a humid continental climate in North Jersey, particularly in the northwestern area of the state. The northwest part of New Jersey is the snowiest due to the higher elevations that earn it a Dfb classification. During the winters, New Jersey can experience Nor'easters, which are snowstorms that affect the Northeastern United States, and Atlantic Canada. However, many would-be snow events in the state end up turning to rain due to warm ocean air being brought in by the storm. New Jersey's climate is shaped by its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean which provides moisture and moderates temperatures. According to climatology research by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, New Jersey has been the fastest-warming state by average air temperature over a 100-year period beginning in the early 20th century, related to global warming.
The January–March 2014 North American cold wave was an extreme weather event that extended through the late winter months of the 2013–2014 winter season, and was also part of an unusually cold winter affecting parts of Canada and parts of the north-central and northeastern United States. The event occurred in early 2014 and was caused by a southward shift of the North Polar Vortex. Record-low temperatures also extended well into March.
In late January 2019, a severe cold wave caused by a weakened jet stream around the Arctic polar vortex hit the Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada, killing at least 22 people. It came after a winter storm brought up to 13 inches (33 cm) of snow in some regions from January 27–29, and brought the coldest temperatures in over 20 years to most locations in the affected region, including some all-time record lows. In early February, a concentration of Arctic air colloquially referred to as the "polar vortex" moved west, and became locked over Western Canada and the Western United States. As a result, February 2019 was among the coldest and snowiest on record in these regions. In early March, the cold once again shifted east, breaking records in many areas. In mid-March, the cold wave finally retreated, but combined with above-average temperatures, precipitation, and a deep snowpack, widespread flooding ensued in the Central US.
Edmonton has a humid continental climate. It falls into the NRC 4a Plant Hardiness Zone.
The February 2021 North American cold wave was an extreme weather event that brought record low temperatures to a significant portion of Canada, the United States and parts of northern Mexico during the first two-thirds of February 2021. The cold was caused by a southern migration of the polar vortex, likely caused by a sudden stratospheric warming event that occurred the prior month. Temperatures fell as much as 25–50 °F below average as far south as the Gulf Coast. Severe winter storms also were associated with the bitter cold, which allowed for heavy snowfall and ice accumulations to places as far south as Houston, Texas, and contributing to one of the snowiest winters ever in some areas in the Deep South.