#means summer like bc its the warmest month of winter

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The Cities with the Best Climate in Canada

Canada is a dream country to live in for many people, mainly because of the lifestyle, job opportunities, stunning nature, and humble Canadian people. But climatic conditions of Canada are also very preferable for most of the people, and you can find the moderate temperature in Canada throughout the year. If you are also planning to settle down in Canada, and if you are looking for the cities with the best climate in the country, then we will give you a list of cities with the best climate in Canada.

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Eight best places in Canada that ranked as “best weather”:

It is true that people love to spend their winter in a snowy climate and here in Canada, you can find many places with picturesque winter. But to spend your daily life, you need to choose a city where the temperature is moderate, and here you can find some similar places in Canada where you can find the best climate to live:

Toronto: Toronto is the biggest city in Canada, and is counted among the top 5 biggest cities in North America. With so many places to see and things to do in Toronto, you will never get bored while in the city. However, it is also preferred by many people due to the pleasant climate. Lake Ontario situated by the city ensures warmer winters and cooler summers. The climate is fairly sunny, and you can feel the hottest summer in Toronto.

  Windsor: Located in the south of Ontario, Windsor city is the hottest city in Ontario. This city also has a semi-continental type of climate, due to which it has cold winters and warm and humid summers. The humidity it receives in summer is due to its close proximity to the Great Lakes that make some people uncomfortable. However, it has a sunny climate in summer, and here you can find moderate temperature throughout the year.

  Halifax, Nova Scotia: Halifax is known to have mild winters and warm summers. The temperature remains between -8 to 24°C. The coldest month of the year is January when the temperature can reach a low point of -1°C. The warmest month is August, and September is the mildest one as far as the average temperature is concerned. Although Halifax receives heavy snowfall during winters, the snow covers are usually patchy due to freeze-thaw cycles that run from time to time. Spring season is cool and wet and arrives late in Halifax as compared to other parts of Canada. November to February is a high precipitation period, while August is the driest and warmest month of the year.

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  St. Catharines: This city has a humid climate due to Lake Ontario, and Niagara Escarpment influencing the local weather conditions. As a result, St. Catharines is a place where a number of wineries manage to survive and flourish. Winter seasons have plenty of frost-free days and freeze-thawing cycles. Summers are warmer with 27°C maximum temperature. Thunderstorms are common occurrences during summers, but mostly less severe than the southern part of Ontario due to the effects of the lakes nearby. The highest temperature recorded so far is 40°C and the lowest temperature recorded is -25.7°C in 1936 and 1979 respectively.

  Kelowna, BC: This city has a humid continental type of climate featuring warm summers and cold winters. In winters, the temperature remains 0.8°C in the day and falls to -7.2°C in the nights on an average. During spring seasons, the temperature can climb to 14.9°C during the evening, while 0.8°C in the nights on an average. In summers, the temperature can reach 26.4°C in days and 9.4°C in the nights on an average. The city receives mean annual precipitation of 366.5mm. So, you can expect moderate temperature throughout the year, even in the peak summer and winter months. However, there is no dry period due to rainfall occurring during most part of the year. Apart from that, the population of this city is quite less than in other major cities, and you can spend a peaceful life here.

  Vancouver: The city has a moderate oceanic type of climate, which means that the summers are dry and the rest part of the year is rainy, especially from October to March. Summer months are usually July and August. The city has a moderate kind of temperature and frequent sea breeze due to its coastal location. Areas like North Vancouver district receive more rain than other parts of the city. High altitude areas like Coquitlam and Burnaby Mountain receive snowfall almost every winter. Snow of Vancouver is usually wet. This is a place that can provide you best winter, and if you enjoy a snowy winter time, then you can choose this city.

  Abbotsford: Abbotsford has an oceanic type of climate which generally features mild winters and mild summers. It has a narrow range of annual temperature. The mean temperature of the warmest month is below 22°C, and the mean temperature of the coldest month is above 0°C. Since precipitation is dispersed all through the year, it does not witness a dry season on an average. The summers are not extremely dry, but storm activities are common. Cloudy and overcast conditions are also common due to constant storms.

  Victoria: The climate of Victoria remains moderate all through the year, mainly because it lies in the sub-Mediterranean zone. On average, the city receives 2193 hours of sunshine every year, and around 8 months of the year remains frost-free. The city receives an annual rainfall of 58.3cm, with monthly average rainfall being 8.5cm in winters and 1.83cm in summers. Since the city has low humidity conditions and offshore breezes are constantly coming in the area, the summer days are mild and evenings are cool. Winters from November to March are also mild with almost no snow. It is a perfect city to live in Canada, in terms of weather.

  See also: 3 Things You Should Know About When Visiting Canada

  We all know Canada to be covered with snow year-round, but this list will help you decide upon a Canadian city that has mild climate so that your life remains easy and comfortable.

The post The Cities with the Best Climate in Canada appeared first on Canada eTA.

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When we’re not lounging on a Florida beach in the hot sun or gallivanting the globe, we love to hike locally.  Local, to us, is anything within a few hours’ drive of Seattle.  One of our favorite local activities is hiking in Olympic National Park.  It’s such an interesting place, with beaches, lowland rainforests, snow-capped peaks, and sweeping views from terrifying ridges.  If you’re visiting Seattle hiking Hurricane Ridge is a great idea as it’s one of the closest access points to the Park.

I think most people in the Pacific Northwest will tell you that no visit to the Seattle area is complete without going hiking.  There are tons and tons of options, but we truly prefer and will direct visitors to either Mt Rainier National Park or Olympic National Park.  Both can be done as day trips or long weekends.  Since we live closer, we more often go hiking in Olympic National Park and hiking at Hurricane Ridge is unforgettable every time.

Locale of Hurricane Ridge

As you’re driving on Highway 101 looping around the Olympic Peninsula, you must go through Sequim and Port Angeles.  Although the town itself might not grab your eye immediately, it’s worth investing a day in…but we’re talking about hiking, not playing tourist.  So, you’re driving through downtown PA and you see a sign for Hurricane Ridge and you turn.  You instantly start heading up hill.

You’ll wind past the Port Angeles Olympic National Park Visitor Center, up through a few tunnels and keep going up out of the forest.  All of the sudden you’re driving on the side of a mountain with little to no shelter and you keep going up.  Eventually the road flattens out and you’re in a parking lot on the top of the mountain.  Weird and beautiful.

Note:  Hurricane Ridge is one of the areas of Olympic National Park that has a fee to access.  If you have the National Parks Pass/Interagency Pass/Access you’ll be covered, otherwise it is $20+ to drive through the gate.

Wildlife on Hurricane Ridge

There are several trails to choose from that all leave from the same spot.  This is one of those times that we’ll tell you to go into the ranger station and see what’s up.  Sometimes there are mountain goats or cougar warnings, so trails may be closed.  Sometimes there’s been a wash out far down the trail and you won’t be able to hike to where you want.  The ranger can make a recommendation on how far is safe to go or just tell you “No, you can’t hike there today.”

The big thing is though, listen to the rangers and DO NOT go seeking out wildlife.  The animals you might encounter at Hurricane Ridge are dangerous, even if they don’t seem it.  These ones aren’t as docile as what you encounter in Yellowstone (which are still dangerous) and you don’t want to be a headline.  There are also bears in the Park, so following all food storage and safety precautions pertaining to black bears is also a must.

Note:  the mountain goats in Olympic National Park aren’t endemic, but we brought in for hunting purposes in the 1920s and are still around today.  They’ve taken a toll on the Ridge and surrounding areas, so be wary of loose soil on and around trails from their pawing and such.

One other fun species to look out for up on Hurricane Ridge is the sooty grouse.  You’ll be walking along and hear this low thumping sound, like a cartoon rabbit in a log.  That’s one of the interesting sounds the grouse makes.  And we’ve seen then several times up on the Ridge.

Hiking Hurricane Ridge

We like the Lake Angeles / Klahhane Ridge trail for hiking at Hurricane Ridge.  It starts off mellow, providing sweeping views through mountain valleys, down to the Strait of Juan de Fuca and across to Vancouver Island and Victoria.  Hiking this path is a great way to hone your trail-chops.  While you’re still early in the hike, it’s very kid friendly.  The climbs aren’t too steep and the path is wide.  There’s even an old ski hut and ancient chair lift to provide a bit of historical creepiness.

Once you’ve been hiking for a bit you do start to climb as you ascend to the Klahhane Ridge.  You’re in a sub-alpine forest, which means that the trees are scarce and the ones that are there are grouped in stubby little stands.  You’ll find that there’s not much shade from the sun or wind, so being prepared with hats and sunblock is a must.

Tip:  When you think you need a little break, take one, because that sun and wind are out to get you and zap your energy and common sense.  With a narrow trail, take advantage of the wider spots you come across.

The trail continues on and the hikers become fewer.  The hillsides become steeper and the trail morphs into what we’d call not kid-friendly.  Big kids are fine probably, but little kids that like to run or trip or not look where they’re going, yeah no.  The views change too.  Instead of looking north to Canada you’re taken around the ridge for a glance at the rest of Washington State:  Hood Canal, Seattle, Mt Rainier, and the Cascade Mountains.  It’s breathtaking.

If you go all of the way on the trail you’re looking at 3.5 miles to Lake Angeles and twice that to the Klahhane Ridge.  Just like with any hiking, be prepared and know what lies ahead.

Picnics at Hurricane Ridge

Of course we’ll tell you about where to have a picnic.  It’s us.  We picnic everywhere.  After hiking at Hurricane Ridge you have three great options.  If it’s cold, windy or rainy, you can use the tables inside the ranger station lounge.  It’s got picture windows all around and a grand fireplace.  Outside of the building are picnic tables too, all with the same amazing view looking across the Olympic Mountains.

Tip:  the ranger station also is a Visitor Center, but its displays and information for perusing are minimal.  There is a gift shop and snack shop if you need as well, say for perhaps a dandy sweatshirt when it’s windy, but it’s not the full Visitors Center facilities you may be used to in other National Parks.

Hurricane Ridge Visitors Center

For a more secluded lunch, you can pack in your picnic to the top of the ski lift area or hop in your car and head northwest away from the lot to the picnic areas just a few minutes away and down the hill a tad.  There are TONS of actual picnic sites, all located within the stubby forest, and there are restroom facilities for when nature calls.  Know that we’re directing you past the Visitors Center and NOT back down the hill towards the Park exit.

Hurricane Ridge in the winter

If you happen to be on the Olympic Peninsula during the winter and spring months, there is still hiking at Hurricane Ridge… in a manner of speaking.  When the Olympics get covered in snow, they still do have clear days and the Visitors Center up on the Ridge is manned.  During those winter months you can use designated areas for cross country skiing or sledding.  It’s always best to plan for some super cold moments if you’re head up into the mountains in the winter, so be sure you’ve got your warmest coats, hats and gloves.  Oh, and don’t forget your toboggan or sled.

Note:  You will need to have chains available in your car even if you don’t see snow down in Port Angeles.  If you’re comfortable with it, studded tires may also be approved.

Where to stay to visit Hurricane Ridge

Since we live close we usually make hiking at Hurricane Ridge a day trip, but sometimes we add it to longer weekends.  There is camping in this part of Olympic National Park at the Heart O’ the Hills campground.  The sites are not the biggest you’ll find in a National Park, but the campground is quite mossy and beautiful.  As of 2017 it is fully on a first-come-first-served basis so you cannot make a reservation.

Another great option for lodging is staying either in Port Townsend or Port Angeles.  Fort Worden in Port Townsend has some really cool accommodations in the old barracks that have been remodeled.  We have also enjoyed staying at a really nice bed and breakfast in Port Angeles called Domaine Madeleine.  Both are cool spots for a few night and both are very family friendly.

As you can see, we really enjoy hiking at Hurricane Ridge and taking advantage of all of the beautiful spots around the Olympic Peninsula.  Olympic National Park is best experienced on a weekday in the summer, as our fall storms here in the PNW can be just gross and, well, there’s a reason Hurricane Ridge is called that:  it’s crazy windy up there.  Plan your trip wisely and you’ll have a great time hiking at Hurricane Ridge and seeing why we love to call this place home.

Want to pin this for later when you’re planning your summer hiking?  Go for it!

Hiking Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park When we’re not lounging on a Florida beach in the hot sun or gallivanting the globe, we love to hike locally. 

#family travel #Find Your Park #hiking #Hurricane Ridge #Olympic National Park #olympic peninsula #wildlife