Is Anywhere In Canada Safe From The Winter Freeze??
The funny thing about traveling as a Canadian is that one of the first questions you get asked by people who aren’t familiar with the country is “how’s the snow?”. Fortunately, not all of Canada is made up of snowy plains and igloos. If you’re looking to escape the winter freeze, or even make a move to a warmer place, here are the warmest cities in Canada that barely ever had igloos.
How We Made Our Picks
There are pre-requisites to being on this list of warm cities in Canada, because temperature is not the only consideration. If you’re really considering making a move to a warmer Canadian climate, there are lots of things you’ll want to know. How warm are the nights? What about the number of frozen days? And of course, how many nights are frozen?
Let’s take a look at those criteria so you can get to know the warmest cities in Canada.
Who Has The Warmest Nights?
Victoria, B.C., is the unchallenged leader when it comes to warmest nights. In fact, Victoria is the leader among Canada’s larger cities for winter heat, overall. It’s the only large Canadian city to not normally drop down to -10 degrees in the winter.
Thus, Victoria has the warmest nights. The night-time temperatures only drop to about 4 degrees Celcius.
Number Of Frozen Days
The number of frozen days also weighs into the equation of the warmest cities in Canada. Victoria has the least number of frozen days, partly because it’s the warmest large city in Canada. Kelowna and Vancouver are also quite low, especially when compared to Winnipeg, which is the coldest city in Canada.
Number Of Frozen Nights
Victoria, Vancouver, and Abbotsford have the lowest number of frozen nights in the country. No major city east of the Rocky Mountains even comes close to the mild climate enjoyed by the residents of these three cities.
What Are The Warmest Cities In Canada To Escape To This Winter?
1) Victoria, BC
Victoria is the capital of British Columbia, and has the distinct honour of being Canada’s warmest city. Their average daily temperature is 7.6 degrees Celsius even in January, which is the peak of the Canadian winter.
2) Halifax, Nova Scotia
Halifax, the capital of Nova Scotia, is the warmest city on the East Coast of Canada. Right on the shores of the Atlantic, Halifax has warmer winters then the inland towns and cities close to it. Keep in mind, however, that the term “warm” is relative. You’re still likely to experience a lot of snow if you’re visiting Halifax in the winter!
3) Vancouver, BC
There’s a reason Vancouver is the most expensive city in Canada. While everyone else is sporting toques and gloves, Vancouver residents are still riding their e-bikes on the seawall.
With golf courses that are even open year-round and an average daily temperature of 6.9 degrees Celsius, Vancouver is one of the warmest cities in Canada. In fact, you may not experience snow at all in Vancouver if you go during the winter.
4) St. Catharines, Ontario
If you’re wondering why an Ontario city is on the list of warmest cities in Canada, you’re not alone. This charming little city in the Niagara Region is provided some shelter by the Niagara Escarpment, and also benefits from close proximity to Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. This results in what’s called a “microclimate” that keeps the city relatively warm, even through the coldest parts of the winter.
5) Kelowna, BC
Kelowna has a similar warmth to Vancouver, but you don’t have to deal with all the rain. As a bonus, you can enjoy summers that rival tropical climates, with water-skiing, beach life, and amazing boating and hiking opportunities.
If you are wanting to do some winter sports, you can always go up to one of the mountains close-by where you can ski, snowboard, and toboggan to your heart’s content.
Related: A Maze In Corn has a winter attraction known as a Snow Maze, and it’s so fun and cool!
