Climate of Canada

Betsy Arntzen Canadian Studies K-12 Outreach Coordinator

Canadian-American Center . University of Mainewww.umaine.edu/teachingcanada

February 2011

Massachusetts Massachusetts Grade 4 Frameworks Grade 4 Frameworks

• 4.18Describe the climate, major physical characteristics, and major natural resources of Canada and explain their relationship to settlement, trade, and the Canadian economy.

Recent Weather Recent Weather ConditionsConditions

Celsius to Fahrenheit

• 5 = 41•-10 = 14•-29 = -20

February 2, 2011

Climate of CanadaClimate of Canada• The variety of

landscapes results in a diversity of climate.

City Average July

Average max -July

Average January

Average max January

Calgary AB 19.4 26.4 -3.9 2.5

Charlottetown PE 19.4 23.7 -5.8 -1.7

Edmonton AB 18.4 25.8 -9.7 -2.6

Halifax NS 19.0 23.7 -4.5 0.0

Montreal QC 20.4 25.1 -6.4 -3.1

Ottawa ON 19.7 25.2 -7.4 -3.8

Regina SK 21.9 30.1 -13.2 -7.0

Toronto ON 21.3 27.0 -2.9 0.6

Vancouver BC 18.8 22.8 3.0 5.6

Average temperatures in Canada’s main centers (Celsius):

Region: ARCTICRegion: ARCTIC• Four months with

above freezing temperatures

• Permafrost - low precipitation and cold temperatures

• Tundra – carpeted with low-lying vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs

Coastal erosion of permafrost.

Canada geese on the tundra near Kuujjuaq, northern Quebec

Iqaluit, NunavutIqaluit, Nunavut

Region: ATLANTICRegion: ATLANTIC• The Atlantic

Ocean moderates the climate so winters are generally long and mild, and summers are short and cool.

• Wooded uplands, fertile lowlands, and a 7,000 mile long shoreline

Halifax, Nova ScotiaHalifax, Nova Scotia

Region: ST. Region: ST. LAWRENCELAWRENCE

• The climate is characterized by warm summers and cool winters, moderated by surrounding water bodies.

• These conditions are suitable to the growth of mixed wood and broadleaf forests.

•

Toronto, OntarioToronto, Ontario

Region: Region: CANADIAN SHIELDCANADIAN SHIELD

• On the Canadian Shield, summers are short, warm; winters are long and cold.

• Boreal Forests - Abundant annual precipitation allows coniferous forests to establish and grow

Chisasibi,QuebecChisasibi,Quebec

Region: PRAIRIESRegion: PRAIRIES• On the

Prairies, the large number of days of sunshine allow for development of the agricultural landscape

Saskatoon, Saskatoon, SaskatchewanSaskatchewan

Region: PACIFIC Region: PACIFIC COAST COAST

• Temperate Rainforests –

On the Pacific coast, the combination of heavy rainfall and mild temperatures year round supports temperate rain forests, large trees

Prince Rupert, Prince Rupert, British ColumbiaBritish Columbia

Climate of Canada

For More Information:

National Climate Data and Information Archivehttp://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/Welcome_e.htmlLocate climate data for many Canadian cities using our interactive map of Canada. Access the same hourly, daily or monthly data and Almanac averages and extremes by typing in the station name or location into the customized search tool.

Sources for images: Google imagesInformation cross checked with: Government of Canada websites

Please submit comments to: Betsy Arntzen

Canadian Studies K-12 Outreach CoordinatorCanadian-American Center . University of Maine

www.umaine.edu/teachingcanadaFebruary 2011