Country Canada: relief, climate, description. Weather in Canada by month

The huge area of ​​Canada influences the climate of this country. Some of its areas are warmer, while others are similar in climate to other northern countries. Most of Canada is continental climate. It is characterized by distinct seasons, with hot summers and frosty winters.

In central Canadian regions, winter begins as early as November. There are often winds in these areas. Average winter temperature, usually stays at – 15 degrees Celsius. Sometimes the frost reaches 40 degrees, and is also accompanied by an icy wind.

In winter there is a lot of precipitation in Canada. For example, in Quebec up to 300 cm of snow falls during the winter. The southeast of the country is influenced by the Atlantic. This significantly softens winter in coastal areas. To the west, rocky mountains shield the area from icy winds. Thus, the climate of this area softens significantly, and winters there are quite moderate.

The first flowering in Canada occurs as early as March. But the leaves on the trees bloom quite late: in mid-April or early May. It rains a lot during spring. This makes spring in Canada look like real autumn. In March, the average temperature barely gets above zero. In May it can already remain at 18 degrees.

Vancouver and Victoria are much warmer than other areas of the country. Spring comes earlier there. It also rains quite often. For example, in Ottawa, about 200 mm of precipitation can fall in the spring from March to May.

Canadian summer

Summer in Canada can be called a stable and warm season. Only northern regions Canadian territories in summer period characterized by large fluctuations in daily temperatures. In all other areas the temperature remains around 20 degrees Celsius. Sometimes in July in the south it can be observed hot weather, and the mark on the thermometer rises to 40. Although such days are rare in Canada.

In the east of the country it can be quite humid in the summer. In the Canadian prairies, summer air is predominantly dry, which is where the hottest days occur.

Autumn in Canada

Canadians call it autumn most beautiful time of the year. In autumn, maples in the country turn crimson, thereby creating amazing natural landscapes. September is considered a fairly warm month. In October the weather begins to get cold and there is a lot of precipitation. The first frosts occur in mid-November. average temperature in mid-autumn it varies around 3 degrees Celsius. At the end of November, it is often cold at night, the air temperature drops below zero. In autumn in Canada there is as much rainfall as in spring. In the west and south of the state autumn time warmer and drier than in the east and north. From September to November, strong winds occur less often than in spring or winter.

Difference in weather in Canada determined by the enormous size of the country - Canada stretches from north to south from the 80th to the 43rd parallel northern latitude! In the very north of Canada, the climate is polar and subarctic; in the central prairies the range of temperature fluctuations is very large even on individual days; in the southwest, in British Columbia, the climate is mild and temperate. Average January temperatures range from -35 degrees in the north of the country to +4 degrees in the south of the Pacific coast. Average July temperatures are about +21 degrees in the south of the country and from -4 degrees to +4 degrees on the islands of the Canadian Arctic archipelago. Average annual precipitation in the form of snow can reach several hundred centimeters (for example, in Quebec), while in Victoria and Vancouver there is almost never snow.

The most cold weather in Canada it is located in the north of the country. In some villages in the far north of the country, temperatures of up to -50 degrees in winter were recorded. There, on the islands of the Canadian Arctic archipelago, the Arctic type of climate dominates, and in the north of the mainland of the country - subarctic. The Arctic climate zone is characterized by predominance throughout the year negative temperatures reaching -45 degrees at night in winter. In July, during the daytime the air can warm up to +10 degrees. The subarctic climate zone covers the middle reaches of the Yukon and Mackenzie rivers. The coldest month in these parts is January: daytime temperatures are about -25 degrees, night temperatures are about 35 degrees below zero. The hottest month of the subarctic climate zone is July: daytime temperatures can reach +20 degrees.

Central Canada is dominated by temperate continental type climate. In January, daytime temperatures are -12 -14 degrees, night temperatures - -22 -24 degrees below zero. In July, during the daytime the air warms up to +24 +26 degrees Celsius, and at night it cools down to +12 +14 degrees.

The weather in the St. Lawrence River Valley, where Canada's capital, Ottawa, is located, is characterized by hot, rainy summers and mild, wet winters. Daytime temperatures of the coldest month - January - reach -3 -5 degrees, night temperatures - 13 - 15 degrees below zero. In July, during the daytime the air warms up to +25 +27 degrees.

The Atlantic and Pacific coasts are dominated by a temperate maritime climate. Winters here are milder and summers are cooler. Daytime temperatures in February hover around 0 degrees. IN summer months during the day the air warms up to +20 +22 degrees.

The climate of a small area in the southwestern part of the country near Vancouver has similar features to the subtropical marine type climate. Here, even in January, the air temperature remains above 0 degrees. However, this climate does not extend deep into the continent, as the Rocky Mountains prevent it.

Photo of Canada from space

The main factors of the Canadian climate are the variation in latitude (from the parallel of 43° N to 80° N), the obstruction of the westerly ocean winds by the Rocky Mountains, the extent of continental territories at relatively high latitudes, leading to strong cooling in winter, and the proximity Arctic Ocean, which makes summers cool. Canadian climate is characterized by cold winter and cool to moderate and humid summers with long daylight hours. The climate and temperatures vary greatly depending on the region, so in the north the climate is polar, in the Prairies there is a large range of temperature fluctuations in different times years or even days, while in the west, in British Columbia, the climate is milder and more temperate, since arctic air is not allowed there by the Canadian Rockies. The west coast and Vancouver Island have a maritime climate, with mild and rainy winters due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean.

Average monthly winter temperatures can drop to −15°C even in the southern part of the country, although temperatures of −40°C with strong icy winds can be expected there. Average annual precipitation in the form of snow can reach several hundred centimeters (for example, in Quebec - 337 cm). In summer, actual temperatures can rise to 35 °C, and in the Canadian Prairies even up to 40 °C. The humidity index is often high in the summer in the east of the country. Some villages in the far north of the country recorded temperatures as low as −50 °C in winter. Temperatures in Alert rarely reach 5°C in summer. In addition, strong icy winds can sharply drop temperatures even to 60 degrees below 0.

In most of the territory the climate is continental (cold or very cold in winter). Dxx according to Köppen's classification), in the southern part, close to the American border, summers are relatively warmer and longer, in the north they are shorter and cooler. Humidity varies from negligible in the prairies to moderate in the north and center throughout the year, with summer precipitation predominating. According to Köppen's classification, such a summer is observed in the south Dfb(moderate summer), in the north - Dfc(cool summer). In the southeast, the Atlantic influence slightly softens the winter, but increases atmospheric disturbances and precipitation, which leads to heavy snowfall, while the distribution of precipitation varies slightly in different areas: it can be distributed evenly throughout the year (Quebec) or even predominate in winter in the immediate area. proximity to the ocean (Newfoundland and Nova Scotia). The west has a continental climate with moderate and dry summers ( rare view Dsb) are located in mountainous areas Canadian Rockies, Coast Range, Mackenzie Mountains.

Also near the Rocky Mountains on the American border in Saskatchewan, in Saskatoon, there are pockets of cold semi-desert climate (mark Bsk), protected from westerly winds.

On the West Coast - a narrow area west of the Rocky Mountains - the climate is milder and more temperate, thanks to oceanic influences. The winter there is very wet, in the south the summer is moderate (mark Cfb), in the north - cool (mark Cfc). However, this climate does not extend deep into the continent, as the Rocky Mountains prevent it.

On the shores of the Arctic Ocean and the islands of Northern Canada with their Arctic climate (mark ET according to Köppen) highest average monthly temperature does not reach 10 °C, winter is about as cold as in the continental region.

Summary table by city

The table below provides a list of climate data for localities in Canada.

City	Absolute minimum, °C	Temperature of the coldest month, °C	Temperature of the three coldest months, °C	Average annual temperature, °C	Temperature of the warmest month, °C	The temperature of the three most warm months, °C	Absolute maximum, °C	Average annual precipitation, mm
Brandon	−46,7	−17,9	−15,3	2,4	18,9	17,8	43,3	474
Vancouver (port)	−15,6	4,8	5,2	11,0	18,3	17,4	32,7	1589
Victoria	−11,0	5,5	5,8	10,3	15,8	15,2	30,5	699
Winnipeg	−45,0	−17,8	−15,3	2,6	19,5	18,3	40,6	514
Halifax	−26,1	−4,4	−3,3	7,2	18,9	17,6	34,0	1508
Hamilton	−25,0	−3,6	−2,4	9,3	22,5	21,0	38,5	751
Iqaluit	−45,6	−28,0	−26,1	−9,8	7,7	6,0	25,8	412
Yellowknife	−51,2	−26,8	−24,6	−4,6	16,8	14,8	32,5	281
Calgary	−45,0	−8,9	−7,5	4,1	16,2	15,2	36,1	413
Quebec	−36,1	−12,8	−11,0	4,0	19,2	17,9	35,6	1230
Kelowna	−32,2	−2,1	−1,0	9,0	20,3	19,3	40,0	340
Montreal	−37,8	−9,7	−7,6	6,8	21,2	20,0	37,6	998
Ottawa	−38,9	−10,5	−8,6	6,3	21,0	19,7	37,8	914
Regina	−47,2	−16,3	−14,5	2,3	18,5	17,4	43,9	378
Saskatoon	−43,9	−16,4	−14,3	2,5	18,3	17,3	41,0	348
Saint John	−36,7	−8,1	−6,7	5,0	17,1	16,0	34,4	1390
St. John's	−23,8	−5,4	−4,2	4,7	15,5	14,2	31,5	1514

The country of Canada is one of the countries with the largest territory in the world, ranking second after Russia. Canada's territory is 9,984,670 km², while the country's population in 2016 was 36,048,521 people. But the country’s density is only 3.5 people per km2, which is one of the lowest in the world. Canada is also famous for having the longest coastline worldwide - 243,791 km! Canada is located on the North American continent, in its northern part. It has a land border only with the United States, and maritime boundaries has with Denmark (Greenland) and France (Saint Pierre and Miquelon).

Canada is washed in the north by the Arctic Ocean, in the west of the country by the Pacific Ocean, and in the east Canada is washed by the Atlantic Ocean. The length of Canada from north to south of the country is 4600 km, and from west to east of the country – 7700 km.

The capital of Canada is Ottawa. The currency is the Canadian dollar. The current monarch of Canada is Elizabeth II.

Canada is constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system. It was founded back in 1534 by J. Cartier. The country consists of 3 territories and 10 provinces. There are two in the country official languages- English and French.

Flag of Canada:

Today this country is an industrially and technologically developed state. Canada has a diversified economy that is based on trade and natural resources, which Canada is rich in.

Relief of Canada

The central part of the country is occupied by plains. We can distinguish the Hudson Bay Lowland, which is characterized by flat terrain, the Laurentian Upland, which is characterized by hilly terrain and central plains. In the west of the country is the Cordillera mountain system. The highest point is Mount Logan mountain system, the height of which reaches 5959 m above sea level. In the northeast of the country there is a strip of mountains up to 2000 m high, and in the southeast the region of the Appalachian Hills.

Climate of Canada

Canada's climate is quite varied, due to its large territory. In total, Canada has three species climatic zones– Arctic, Subarctic and temperate. The temperature in the north and south of the country is very different. IN winter time the difference in average temperatures in the south and north reaches almost 30 units, and in the summer it is slightly less.

For example, average Maximum temperature in the north in winter it reaches -28 degrees Celsius, and in the south of the country -0.4 degrees Celsius. In summer, the average maximum temperature in the north reaches 6 degrees Celsius, and in the south of the country 29 degrees Celsius. At the same time, in the summer in the south of the country the temperature can rise to 35-40 degrees Celsius, and in the north of the country it can drop to -45-60 degrees Celsius with strong icy winds.

Canada's climate is quite harsh. These are long, snowy winters that last up to 8 months a year and short summer. Moreover, in winter in the south of the country the sun shines 8 hours a day, but in the north it does not shine at all. Since the country experiences icy winds from the north and warm winds blowing from the United States, quite a bit of rain falls over Canada. a large number of precipitation.

Canadian inland waters

Canada ranks one of the first places in the number of lakes. About 10% of Canada's area is covered by water. Its territory contains the Great Lakes (Ontario, Superior, Erie, Huron), as well as smaller lakes and numerous rivers throughout the country. Most important river in Canada is the navigable St. Lawrence River, which connects the Great Lakes to the basin Atlantic Ocean. Thanks to Canada's climate, all its lakes and rivers are covered with ice from 5 to 9 months a year.

Flora of Canada

The vegetation in the country varies from deciduous and mixed forests in the south of the country and to the tundra, taiga, which in the north of the country turn into arctic deserts. The forests in Canada are dominated by coniferous forests. In forests you can most often find such plants as: black spruce, pine, white spruce, thuja, larch, oak, beech, chestnut, alder, birch, willow, cedar, fir, arbutus, elm and many other plants.

Wildlife of Canada

In the south of the country animal world the most diverse, and in the north the scarcest. The country is home to deer, elk, sheep, goats, arctic fox, hare, chikari squirrel, chipmunks, jerboas, porcupines, American flying squirrel, beaver, raccoon, wolf, fox, bears and many other animals. There are also many migratory and game birds. Rivers and lakes are rich in fish. But the list of reptiles and amphibians is not so numerous.

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Traditionally, climate is determined by the average weather patterns in a particular region. Due to its size, Canada is distinguished by a variety of climatic zones, and local residents themselves characterize the climate of their country as follows: for every eight months of snowy winter there are four months of road repairs. Considering that Canada is covered in snow most of the year, this statement is not entirely untrue.

So, the presence of several climatic regions on the territory of the country explains its sufficient extent. For this reason, for example, there are dramatic differences in day length - in December, southern Canada receives eight hours of daylight, while northern regions receive nothing. The location of an area on the continent, and especially its distance from the oceans, also influences the climate. This fact easily explains why a coastal city in British Columbia, for example, Victoria has more warm climate than the climate of one of the cities in the province of Manitoba, for example, Winnipeg.

Temperature regimes in Canada

Temperature determines the degree of warmth or coldness. Air temperatures in most Canadian provinces have been measured for the last forty years, although in the Arctic such measurements have been taken for a much shorter period of time. Averages are calculated based on data for the last ten years.

In winter, when northern Canada receives little sun, temperature differences between northern and southern part countries vary greatly. The average January maximum temperature on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island is -28.6°C, and in Windsor, Ontario -0.4°C. That is, the difference between the northern and southern parts is 28.2°C. In summer, this difference becomes less significant, but still noticeable: in the north of the country the average maximum temperature in July is 6.1°C, and in Windsor it is 29°C. Thus, the difference is 22.9°C.

Humidity

Humidity is the most important climatic parameter. Precipitation, moisture falling on the surface of the Earth in the form of rain, snow, hail - these indicators form the humidity indicators on the planet. Because of big size countries exist a big difference in the amount of precipitation received. Because warm air can hold more moisture than cold air, southern Canada receives more precipitation than northern Canada. Well, since the wind usually blows from west to east, the west coast receives greatest number precipitation. There are other factors that influence rainfall. For example, these are the mountains in Western Canada or the Great Lakes in Canada.

In general, measurements of average annual precipitation are most often made where people live. Given that most Canadians live in the south of the country, this is where precipitation maps are most accurate. Annual precipitation ranges from 100 mm in the high Arctic to 1500 mm on the windward side of the British Columbia mountains.
Most of the precipitation that falls in Canada evaporates back into the atmosphere. Water that does not evaporate flows into rivers and lakes, and eventually ends up in the ocean. The eastern and western regions have large volumes of runoff. As a rule, these are areas where hydroelectric power stations are being created.

Climate regions

Defining climatic regions is difficult for any country. For this, climatologists use indicators of various climatic parameters, such as temperature and precipitation. Vegetation also serves as an index to determine the climate type of a region.
The vast, largely uninhabited regions of the Canadian North are distinguished by several climate regions, most often arctic and subarctic. In the southern, more populated part of Canada, there are five main climate regions, each an extension of the other. These are the East Coast, Great Lakes, Prairies, Cordillera and West Coast.

East Coast

The East Coast climate region represents the Halifax area or the city of Nova Scotia. Precipitation here falls fairly evenly throughout the year and only in July does its level decrease. Halifax has a total annual rainfall of 773 mm. This part of the country has a temperate continental climate.

Great Lakes

Precipitation falls fairly evenly throughout the year (albeit to a lesser extent than in Halifax), but in the summer there is more precipitation in Ontario than in east coast. This is a result of higher summer temperatures in the interior of the country. Windsor as well The largest city Canada, Ontario - Toronto - is located in the humid continental climate zone. In May, precipitation in the province increases, but by mid-July the average annual reserve of soil moisture is exhausted. From then on, the level of vegetation depends solely on current rainfall, which is usually sufficient to provide a supply of soil.

Prairies

A striking representative of the Prairie climate region is the city of Edmonton, located in the province of Alberta. This locality with a typical steppe continental climate, which is characterized by frosty and little snowy winters and moderately rainy, warm summer. Due to the lack of precipitation in winter, soil moisture is not always restored during the year, and the remaining water is only 7 millimeters, which indicates the aridity of these places. Montreal also has a continental climate with dry summers and cold, icy winters.

Subarctic and Arctic climate regions

In Inuvik, north of the Arctic Circle, the growing season is shorter. Sub operates here arctic climate and permafrost is observed. The precipitation deficit here is 10 millimeters. The high latitudes of the Arctic have a more severe Arctic climate with a growing season of one month and minimal precipitation. There is also a lack of humidity here.

West Coast

The West Coast is a climate region where precipitation levels reach their maximum in winter and minimum in summer. That's why in West Coast cities like Victoria or Vancouver, there's too much dry summer, and winter is wet and cool, which makes it worth talking about the influence of the Mediterranean climate, which is located on the very border with the sea.