The last word on Canadian Winters

[Chelsea]

Speaking from experience: Just because the sun is out does NOT mean it warms up. I've actually seen it go from -25 in the morning to -38 in mid afternoon. - Not counting the windchill.
People keep asking me if I'm used to the winters. . . You don't get used to the winters, you just adapt. You get a car with a remote starter, you stay inside as much as possible, and you put on LAYERS.

[ChungyUK]

Originally Posted by Chelsea

Speaking from experience: Just because the sun is out does NOT mean it warms up. I've actually seen it go from -25 in the morning to -38 in mid afternoon. - Not counting the windchill.
People keep asking me if I'm used to the winters. . . You don't get used to the winters, you just adapt. You get a car with a remote starter, you stay inside as much as possible, and you put on LAYERS.

How hot can it get during the summer months? I'm asking this because I am from the UK and it can hot reaching temperatures around 29 degrees one some days.

[Auld Yin]

Originally Posted by ChungyUK

How hot can it get during the summer months? I'm asking this because I am from the UK and it can hot reaching temperatures around 29 degrees one some days.

There are very few days in an Ontario summer when the temperature would be any less than 22-25C and sometimes it can reach into the 30's for days at a time. Air conditioning is standard fare in most business buildings and very common in homes, The coastal Provinces would not experience it quite so warm, but good warm summers are normal. The Prairie Provinces (Manitoba/Saskatchewan) have very warm, dry summers. All-in-all Summers in Canada are far better than in the UK.

[Chelsea]

In Alberta it gets up to +40 every now and then - usually not quite that high. But there's no humidity so it's really nice.

[ChungyUK]

Originally Posted by Chelsea

In Alberta it gets up to +40 every now and then - usually not quite that high. But there's no humidity so it's really nice.

Thanks! I'm hoping to come to Vancouver in early 2010 most likely in January. Will it be alright weather around this time?

[Chelsea]

January is winter. But from what everyone tells me it doesn't get NEARLY as bad there as here. It rains quite a bit there but they don't get the snow & ice like we do here. The best thing to do is Google 'Average Weather January Vancouver' the first website that pops up is great.

[mcd1203]

I thought I would check on the Canadian forum as my family and I are from Canada living abroad in UAE. My husband is from New Brunswick (moncton area) and I'm from Calgary, AB. Lived in Calgary all my life. We have to say we miss the snow and yes part of the cold winters.
You do adjust or you just make adjustments. Make sure you plug your cars in overnight if you leave them outside. Park them in your garage if you can. Newer cars will start in the -30 if not plugged in but will take a bit to get them started. We had our son Dec. 2007 and it was one of our bad cold snaps in Calgary. It was tough but we made sure that we had the bag for the carseat which are quite warm and then just added extra blankets.
For Ray..... Calgary is lovely. It was great because we would get chinooks which is change in winds over the mountains which can dramatically change the weather from -20 to +10.
Hint for your house... when it hits -40 with windchill place blankets on the floor of your front/back doors. It will help keep out some of the cold and frost. And let your car run for at least 15 mins in those cold snaps.

[chennai2calgary]

hey thanks for the update about the winters in canada. Frankly speaking, this is the first time im sending a message on the expats, so help me. Im from chennai and God-willing, move to calgary in the beginning of July 2009. Tell me about the climate during July. From when to when is the summer there in Calgary? What should i buy and come from India when i come for the first time? or should i come there to canada and buy the things? HOw are things compared to things in India--Cheap or Costly? Would you also tell me about the children's admission-- My first son is going to 6th standard and the second one is going to 3rd standard. I heard that the admissions start by September. Now tell me whether i can bring them by January 2010 and get them admitted? is that possible?Kindly let me know. Thanks.

[mcd1203]

Hi chennai,
From what friends and family have told me temps right now are between 16-20. Usually July in Calgary is in the 20s. Depending on rain, winds etc. It could go down as low as 12 but then go up to low 30s. Just depends on the year. The evenings are a little cooler though. If you're coming from India you may find it cool for the first bit until your body adjusts to the temp. I don't know what prices are like in India. I would say Calgary is a little pricey but there are places you can go for cheaper clothes etc. We have big grocery stores that have weekly sales. Your best places to go for food are Safeway and Coop. For household items, clothes etc you go to Walmart. They're everywhere. Summer is usually considered to be mid June to Sept. but the weather changes quite a bit. You'll really enjoy your first fall there with the colour changes in the leaves. I would say bring a light jacket with you. But you can find everything in Calgary. If you're looking for certain India ingredients for food you'll find them in any of the stores. You will have to tell me what ages your children are as we usually go by age group since in the school systems in Alberta we dont use things like 6th standard. I'll be able to tell you more about what grade they'll be in then.
As for when you can admit them.... School year begins in September so that's when the big admissions happen or they happen prior to the school year. However, our schools won't turn you away if you have them admitted in January. I actually had kids start in my classes as late as May (school year ends at the end of June). Schools go by the area you live in.

[travelwriter]

[QUOTE=Raymapleleaf;127826]hi we are moving to calgary does it take a long time to get used to the long winters we heard it takes five years ? or you move but we like calgary a lot
and think we we be o.k (praying)


Long and cold. My brother in law who has lived in Calgary for 30 years wrote to tell me they had a snow fall last week -- at the end of April! Several years ago, my sister told me it snowed on July 1st -- an extremely rare event, but still just the fact that it could happen! The last time I visited Calgary in winter was about 14 years ago when the temperatures went down to - 42 C.

How long it takes you to get used to it depends entirely on the individual. Most Canadians will tell you that you need to get involved in winter activities. I lived there for 38 years (born in Northern Ontario) and could never get used to it and so moved to L.A. then Mexico and now am in Costa Rica. But all of my family is in Canada and many, many friends and they wouldn't live anywhere else despite the weather.

When you budget for your move, make sure you include the cost of good boots, heavy winter jackets, sweaters galore, mittens, hats (known as tuques), scarves and anything else that will keep you warm -- oh, and don't forget a block heater to keep your car engine warm overnight or you won't be able to start your car in winter mornings.