Calgary is the biggest city in the Canadian province of Alberta. It is located where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet and where the Rocky Mountain Foothills transition to the Canadian Prairies. With this in mind, winters in Calgary are usually very cold with a significant number of snowy days.
If you are coming from somewhere with a milder climate, like Vancouver, it may be a shock to you, and you may have to do a few things to prepare. Here is how you can survive your first winter in Calgary:
Be Prepared
Winters in Calgary are especially cold, and can reach temperatures of negative 22 degrees Fahrenheit on the coldest days of the year. Calgary also receives a significant amount of snow during the winter, which is another aspect of the season to be prepared for.
In order to prepare yourself, your home, and your car for winter weather, you will need to do a few things. First, be sure that you have weather appropriate clothing and dress in layers. Inner layers are just as important as outer layers, and you will also need a heavy winter coat, accessories (hat gloves, scarves), and boots.
Be sure to also have a snow shovel or snow blower, ice melt, and salt for walkways around your home. You will also need emergency supplies in your car, should you get stuck during a snowstorm. You may also want to switch to winter tires for the season. You will also need an ice scraper and a refill of antifreeze.
These are just a few of the ways to prepare for an especially cold and snowy winter. Be sure to read up on other ways to prepare and important strategies for the winter time.
Anticipate Change
While the winter weather in Calgary is generally cold and occasionally snowy, you should also be prepared for change. Due to its location, Calgary sometimes has quickly changing weather. On some winter days, chinook winds can blow over the mountain and significantly raise the temperature (by up to 54 degrees Fahrenheit) in just a few hours, and this boost in temperature can last several days.
Due to Calgary’s proximity to the mountains, temperatures can vary wildly. This can lead to a milder winter, or wind chills (Calgary’s wind speeds are some of the highest in the country) can cause temperatures to plummet. So anticipate some changes in temperature during the winter over the course of hours or days.
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Winter Activities
There is also plenty to do right in the heart of the city during the winter time, whether you want to do some winter sports or stay warm inside. If you find that you want to be closer to the winter excitement of downtown, there are plenty of Calgary homes for sale, and you can snow tube or ice skate right in the center of the city.
If you love the tranquility of cold, snowy winter days, Calgary is the perfect spot for you. If you are prepared for winter weather and for changes in weather, you will have a great first winter in Calgary.