Weather in Edmonton

The spring months (March, April, and May) are when the weather warms, and the snow melts. March will often feel wintry with cooler temperatures, but by April, snow will be melting, the days will be longer, and it will feel much warmer.

Spring days are usually clear and sunny, although there are periods of rain. There are noticeably more daylight hours as spring progresses.

Summer in Edmonton (June, July, and August) is a time of long, sunny days interspersed with afternoon thundershowers. Temperatures during the day can be as high as 35°C, although you can expect most days to range from 20°C to 30°C, with nights being cooler.

During summer, it's a good idea to wear sunscreen if you'll be outside in the sun; you could also wear light, covering clothing, along with a wide-brimmed hat.

One thing you may notice in Edmonton is mosquitoes - these annoying insects will be in wooded areas and fields (especially near lakes or ponds), and it's a good idea to use insect repellent to protect yourself.

The autumn months in Edmonton (September, October, and November), are a time of change; temperatures start to cool, and the days grow shorter. During September, there will be many days that reach to around 20°C, but by November, daily temperatures will likely hover around 0°C to 5°C.

Generally, autumn can also be a bit windier than summer and possibly a bit wetter (depending on the year).

With colder temperatures, shorter days, and a lot of snow, winter in Edmonton might be different than what you've experienced before.

Winter Temperatures

The temperature in Edmonton during the winter months can vary greatly day-to-day and even throughout an individual day. Here's what you can expect from the different temperatures:

• +5°C to -5°C: These days will be warmer than average, quite wet (as snow will melt a bit), and likely sunny. You won't see many of these days during winter, so take advantage of them and enjoy the outdoors.
• -5°C to -15°C: This range will be fairly common for winter, with many days hovering around -10°C during daylight hours. During these temperatures, it isn't too cold outside, although if you're outside for a long time, you may feel chilled.
• -15°C to -25°C: You can expect it to be about this cold at night and in the early morning before the sun rises, but these temperatures are a bit colder than average for the daytime. Wearing proper winter clothing is a must, as it's very easy to get frostbite at these temperatures.
• -25°C to -35°C: Days like these are the coldest you should encounter in Edmonton. When the temperatures dip below -30°C, you'll probably want to avoid going outside - unless you're wearing a lot of warm clothing. Being outside without proper clothing at these temperatures can be dangerous, and you'll find yourself quickly chilled.

When it's very cold...

When it's very cold out (below -20°C), you should be dressed properly if you go outdoors. It may surprise you how quickly you feel chilled after stepping outside, especially at night.

Frost Bite is when skin and body parts freeze - depending on the severity, the consequences can range from discomfort all the way to the amputation of fingers and toes. To prevent this, you should always wear gloves or mittens and a hat or toque. If you're standing still (such as waiting for a bus), try moving around a bit (wiggling your fingers and toes) to keep the blood moving around your body.

Hypothermia is a very dangerous condition that occurs when the body's internal temperature drops below a certain point. Make sure that you're always properly dressed when you're outside, especially at very low temperatures, as being outside in only a t-shirt for as little as 5 minutes at -30°C can lead to both frostbite and hypothermia.