How’s the Weather in Calgary? | Our Calgary Campus

As much as we’d love to travel right now, it isn’t a reality due to COVID-19. In the meantime, while we do our part to keep everyone safe by staying home, we wanted to give you a snapshot of Calgary and the weather you should plan for if you move to Calgary for college (or simply travel there in the future).

Calgary is a Canadian city that’s rich with nature, culture and adventure! Whether you’ve lived in Calgary your whole life, are studying abroad or simply want to take a vacation, there’s plenty to know about Calgary weather.

Buckle up and learn about the best and worst Calgary weather, fun activities to do each season and outfit inspiration to keep you covered while you brave the elements.

 

Calgary weather: the highlights 

Calgary has distinct seasons and weather patterns. Here’s the key weather trends you should know about: 

• It’s very sunny. Even during the winter, Calgary skies typically see a lot of sun.
• It’s also very windy. Calgary gets gusty, especially when Chinooks blow through (we’ll get to that later).
• There’s very little rain. You won’t see a ton of rain in Calgary but if you do, it’ll likely be during the summer.
• It doesn’t get very muggy. Lucky for the folks of Calgary, it doesn’t get too humid. 

Now that you know the popular Calgary weather trends, let’s get into the seasons! 

 

 

Fall in Calgary

The leaves turn, there’s pumpkin spice everything… what’s not to like? 

Fall in Calgary is typically cool and cloudy. You still may find the temperature breaking double digits some days but by November the degrees will drop significantly. 

 

Things to do in the fall

Fall may not have tropical temperatures but it’s still nice enough to enjoy the outdoors! Here are some activities to do during the fall: 

• Hike the Canadian Rockies. It doesn’t take much to get to the Rockies from Calgary and there are plenty of hiking trails to explore. Venture up Smutwood Peak, stroll through Larch Tree Valley (it’s incredible in September) and enjoy the Sulphur Skyline. A quick Google search will help you find a hike that fits what you’re looking for! 
• Exercise outside. Fall is the perfect time to go for a walk, light jog or take your yoga mat to the park. It’s not too hot and not too cold – the perfect balance for an outdoor workout. 
• Take your kids to the corn maze or farmer’s market. Granary Road Farmer’s Market is a great spot for the whole family. Check out the fresh foods at the market while your kids jump on the frog pond trampolines. Then see farm animals at the petting zoo! 

 

Things to wear in the fall

If you’re out and about in the fall, you’ll want to be prepared for temperature dips. We recommend long pants, a classic plaid shirt or long sleeve – and maybe a sweater for those chilly evenings. 

If you’re heading out for a hike, don’t forget your camera and hiking boots! 

 

Winter in Calgary

If you’ve never experienced a Canadian winter, come to Calgary and you certainly will! Calgary winters get very, very snowy and cold, nearing -40 degrees Celsius. It also gets very windy when Chinooks come in but they’re actually a blessing. 

Chinooks are warm, dry, gusty winds that blow through the Rocky Mountains and can raise the temperature by 30 degrees in a matter of hours. This could result in rapid thawing, which can be good or bad depending on the season. On the plus side, it can turn a brutally cold day into a much more tolerable one. 

 

Things to do during the winter

Winter is the perfect time to hit the slopes of the Rocky Mountains. With consistent fresh powder, skiers and snowboarders alike will love the winter excursions near Calgary. Lake Louise, Banff and Jasper are within driving distance and draw tourists from outside the province year-round. 

If winter isn’t your thing and you prefer seeing the snow from a distance, why not check out a museum? The Royal Tyrrell Museum is only a 1.5 hour drive away in Drumheller. If you want to learn more about dinosaurs and prehistoric times, take the drive and enjoy one of the coolest museums in Canada. 

 

What to wear in the winter

This goes without saying but here are your winter essentials: parka, ski pants, toque, good boots and (if you have them), thermal underwear! You’ll thank yourself later when you’re toasty warm while hitting the slopes. 

 

Spring in Calgary

When spring rolls around, it usually comes with a lot of moisture from the rising temperatures. It certainly isn’t tropical but it’s enough to thaw the ice and start getting rid of the snow. 

 

Things to do during springtime

If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s some things you can do when spring hits: 

• Spring cleaning. Spring is the perfect time for spring cleaning. Shocking, right? While you’re studying at home, you can take some time to clean up your space. Maybe it’s decluttering your clothes. Maybe it’s finally going through old paperwork that’s sitting in your desk. Or maybe it’s creating some new decor for your study space! Whatever it is, we bet you’ll feel great doing a quick cleanup. 
• Visit the Calgary Zoo. With the weather warming up, why not spend a day at the Calgary Zoo? You can explore the exhibits and enjoy the weather as you walk. 
• Go to a park. There are plenty of parks and green spaces in all areas of the city. It’s the perfect spot to go for a walk and be in nature! 

 

Spring wear

During the spring, the temperature averages around 10 degrees so you’ll still want enough layers to get you through the cooler days when there isn’t as much sun. Set yourself up for success with pants (or capris), a sweatshirt and have a light jacket on hand just in case.

 

Summer in Calgary

Calgary doesn’t get much rain but if it does, it’s usually during the summer. The temperature rarely hits 30 degrees so the summer is prime time for hiking and getting outside. It’s also very sunny – the skies are mostly clear until October. 

 

What to do in the summer

If you head to Calgary during the summer, you won’t want to miss the Calgary Stampede. With outdoor concerts, rodeo and food, there’s lots to see and do. For the thrill seekers, you can check out the rides at Calaway Park. It’s fun for the whole family with rides for all ages. Just don’t forget to pack sunscreen! 

 

What to wear in the summer

The temperature usually gets into the 20s so you should be perfectly comfortable wearing shorts, capris or a dress when you want to get a little fancy! 

We offer many programs at our Calgary blended learning campus and as you can see, there’s plenty to do and see given the changing Calgary weather. If you’re interested in learning more about studying in Calgary, read this blog post.