These are Officially the 5 Sunniest Places in Canada

Canada is the second-largest country in the world by area, behind only Russia. It is North America’s northernmost neighbor, extending into the Arctic Ocean. Due to its northern location, Canada has a reputation for long winters and lots of snow. However, there are some surprisingly sunny places in this massive country. The sunniest region in Canada is the interior plains. This region includes Alberta, Southern Saskatchewan, Southern Manitoba, and Western Northwest Territories. The interior plains region has cold winters and warm, sunny summers. For these reasons, more than 80 percent of Canada’s farmland is in the interior plains. Summers here are also dry, with the lowest rainfall of any Canadian region. Unsurprisingly, the five sunniest places in Canada are all cities in this region. Let’s learn about these five sunniest places!

The five sunniest places in Canada are all cities in the interior plains provinces. These provinces include Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. Each of these cities gets more than 315 days of sun a year. That’s more than 86 percent sunny days! These cities get plenty of sun due to their mild, warm summers and their position far north of the equator. Places far north or south of the equator have longer summer days than places that are closer to the equator. The sun rises early and sets late in these places, so they experience more hours of light each day.

1. Calgary, Alberta

The sunniest place in Canada is Calgary, Alberta. Calgary gets an average of 333 sunny days per year. That means there are only an average of 32 cloudy days per year in Calgary. Calgary is located at the confluence of the beautiful Bow and Elbow Rivers, where the prairie meets the Rocky Mountain Foothills. It is the third-largest city in Canada with a population of 1,481,806.

Climate

Calgary has two kinds of climate, according to the Köppen climate classification. The eastern part of the city has a humid continental climate. A humid continental climate has warm to hot summers and cold winters. The western part of the city, which sits at a higher elevation, has a subarctic climate. A subarctic climate has longer, colder winters and shorter summers. Winters in the province of Alberta can vary in length and temperature. Summers in Calgary are mild and comfortable. The average daily temperature in July, the hottest month, is 61.7 °F. The record high temperature in Calgary is 98.1 °F, which was recorded on August 10, 2018. Calgary has long summer days due to its northern location. June 21st, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year everywhere north of the equator. On June 21st Calgary has 16 hours and 33 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

2. Edmonton, Alberta

The second-sunniest place in Canada is Edmonton, Alberta. Edmonton gets an average of 325 sunny days per year. That means there are only an average of 40 cloudy days per year in Edmonton. Edmonton is located west of the Canadian Rockies on the Saskatchewan River. It is the fifth-largest city in Canada with a population of 1,010,899.

Climate

Edmonton has a humid continental climate according to the Köppen climate classification. Like all of Alberta, Edmonton has warm to hot summers and cold, dry winters. The average daily temperature in Edmonton in July, the hottest month, is 63.9 °F. The record high temperature in Edmonton is 99.0 °F, which was recorded on both June 29, 1937, and July 2, 2013. Edmonton has one of the longest growing seasons in the prairie provinces. A growing season is the time between the last frost of spring and the first frost of fall. Edmonton has a growing season lasting an average of 123 days per year. Due to its long growing season, Edmonton is an important agricultural center in Canada. Like all northern places, Edmonton has long summer days. On June 21st, the longest day of the year, Edmonton has 17 hours and 3 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

3. Regina, Saskatchewan

The third-sunniest place in Canada is Regina, Saskatchewan. Regina gets an average of 322 sunny days per year. Regina is located in southern Saskatchewan on a large, flat plain. In fact, the maximum elevation change in the city is just 43 feet. Wascana Creek runs through Regina and in 1883 it was dammed to create a lake in the southern part of the city. Regina is the second-largest city in Saskatchewan with a population of 226,404.

Climate

Regina has a warm summer humid continental climate, according to the Köppen climate classification. Summers in Regina are mild on average, but the city does sometimes see extreme temperatures in the summers and winters. The record high temperature in Regina is a scorching 111 °F, which was recorded on July 5, 1937. However, the average daily temperature in July, the hottest month, is 66.0 °F. Regina gets most of its rain during the summer, with June being the rainiest month. The growing season in Regina is an average of 112 days. Like all northern places, Regina has long summer days. On June 21st, the summer solstice, Regina has 16 hours and 33 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

4. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

The fourth-sunniest place in Canada is Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Saskatoon gets an average of 319 sunny days per year. It is located in southern Saskatchewan, along a bend in the South Saskatchewan River. Saskatoon is the largest city in Saskatchewan and is nicknamed “The Paris of the Prairies” for its many bridges over the South Saskatchewan River.

Climate

Saskatoon has a cold semi-arid climate according to the Köppen climate classification. The summers in Saskatoon are warm and mild while the winters are long and cold. In July, the hottest month, the average daily temperature is 66.2 °F. The record high temperature in Saskatoon was 107 °F, recorded on June 6, 1988. Summer is the wettest season, with June being the rainiest month of the year. The growing season in Saskatoon is an average of 126 days. Saskatoon has long daylight hours during the summer. On June 21st, the longest day of the year, Saskatoon has 16 hours and 45 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

5. Winnipeg, Manitoba

The fifth-sunniest place in Canada is Winnipeg, Manitoba. Winnipeg gets an average of 318 sunny days per year. Winnipeg is located in southern Manitoba, on the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers. With a population of 834,678, it is the sixth-largest city in Canada.

Climate

Winnipeg has a warm summer humid continental climate according to the Köppen climate classification. Summers in Winnipeg are warm and humid, while winters are long and extremely cold. The average daily temperature in July, the hottest month, is 67.5 °F. The record high temperature in Winnipeg is 108.0 °F, recorded on July 11, 1936. Winnipeg gets most of its rain during summer, with June being the wettest month. The growing season in Winnipeg averages 116 days. As with all northern places, it has long daylight hours during summer. On June 21st, the summer solstice, Winnipeg has 16 hours and 21 minutes between sunrise and sunset.

Summary of the 5 Sunniest Places in Canada