Climate - Edmonton (Canada)

The climate of Edmonton is continental, with very cold winters and mild or pleasantly warm summers.
The city is the capital of the province of Alberta and is located at 700 meters (2,300 feet) above sea level, at the 53rd parallel north. About 220 km (135 mi) to the west are the Rocky Mountains.
We are in the Canadian prairies, characterized by low precipitation (especially in winter) and strong variations in temperature. On the coldest days of the year, the temperature can drop to -35 °C (-31 °F) or even below. In January 1950, the temperature dropped to -44.4 °C (-47.9 °F) at Blatchford Airport.
In summer, there can sometimes be hot days, with highs of 30 °C (86 °F) or more, but less than in the southernmost part of Canada; moreover, it can get cold at night even in the height of summer. During the heat wave that hit western Canada between late June and early July 2021, the temperature reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F).
At the Namao Air Base, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -10 °C (14 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 17.2 °C (63 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 455 millimeters (17.9 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 10 mm (0.4 in) in the driest month (February) to 95 mm (3.7 in) in the wettest (July). Summer is the rainiest season due to afternoon thunderstorms, which can be accompanied by hail. On average, 125 cm (4.1 feet) of snow fall per year. Usually it snows from October to early May. Here is the average precipitation.

On average, there are around 2,345 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best time to visit Edmonton is summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season.

Edmonton - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Edmonton is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -10.0 °C (14 °F), with a minimum of -15.4 °C (4.3 °F) and a maximum of -4.7 °C (23.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -31.5 °C (-24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -42.1 °C (-43.8 °F) in January 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it reached 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in January 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In February, the weather in Edmonton is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -9.0 °C (16 °F), with a minimum of -14.8 °C (5.4 °F) and a maximum of -3.2 °C (26.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -28 °C (-18 °F). However, it dropped to -39 °C (-38.2 °F) in February 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it reached 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In March, the weather in Edmonton is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.8 °C (25 °F), with a minimum of -9.6 °C (14.7 °F) and a maximum of 2 °C (35.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -24 °C (-11 °F). However, it dropped to -38 °C (-36.4 °F) in March 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in March 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In April, the weather in Edmonton is usually quite cold. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 4.4 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -2.2 °C (28 °F) and a maximum of 11 °C (51.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -25 °C (-13 °F) in April 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in April 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In May, the weather in Edmonton is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.6 °C (65.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.9 °C (14.2 °F) in May 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in May 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 52%.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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In June, the weather in Edmonton is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 14.8 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (70.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.9 °C (28.6 °F) in June 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (83 °F). However, it reached 34.1 °C (93.4 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Edmonton is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in July 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (85.5 °F). However, it reached 34 °C (93.2 °F) in July 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In August, the weather in Edmonton is usually very mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 16.2 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.1 °F) and a maximum of 23.4 °C (74.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 36 °C (96.8 °F) in August 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In September, the weather in Edmonton is usually mild. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (40 °F) and a maximum of 19.1 °C (66.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.1 °C (19.2 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In October, the weather in Edmonton is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -18.3 °C (-0.9 °F) in October 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 27.6 °C (81.7 °F) in October 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).

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In November, the weather in Edmonton is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.6 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -8.7 °C (16.4 °F) and a maximum of 1.5 °C (34.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21 °C (-5.5 °F). However, it dropped to -32.5 °C (-26.5 °F) in November 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In December, the weather in Edmonton is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -9.5 °C (15 °F), with a minimum of -14.8 °C (5.4 °F) and a maximum of -4.2 °C (24.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -27.5 °C (-17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -38.7 °C (-37.7 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in December 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).