How is Calgary Canada during the winter?

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Fotomama

Sure! Get a coat!

You are going to find that you are more adaptable than you think.

Calgary is a really beautiful city. It's an hour east of the Canadian Rockies. There is so much to do...museums, world class zoo (which is even open in the winter!) food and entertainment...and it might be a great opportunity to learn to ski or skate! We love our winter sports up here so you can catch a Calgary Flames game.

Naturally you are going to find the weather colder. Winters can be very brisk, with night time temps reaching -40 during the worst cold snaps. However, we also have a chinook wind, which comes through from time to time and warms things up. It has been recorded a temperature change from -20 Celcius to +20 C in less than 24 hours! Unusual, certainly! But Calgary is still much milder than a lot of other places in Canada thanks to this phenomenon.

Your car will need a block heater (this is a heater which attaches to the engine block and warms it to facilitate starting. It plugs into the electric outlet.) or better yet, if you work downtown, take transit! The c-trains and buses are very reliable, and much more affordable than parking. Not to mention that they help alleviate the increasing traffic snarls.

Housing in the city right now is at a premium. The rental availability is at an all-time low and rents are very expensive. And unfortunately, with the booming economy in Alberta, there are a few retailers who are taking advantage of the extra money in some people's pockets. (This has hit my family pretty hard, as we are students.)

Despite all its faults, I love the city of Calgary. I have lived in Alberta most of my life and it's a beautiful place and the people are great. If you are coming up here for work, consider it a cultural experience and take the opportunity to learn and enjoy yourself!

If you would like any further info, do email me.

Chocogal

its not THAT cold here....yes u can probably survive

Hello.

Well
its cold.
we get chinnoks.
which will melt the snow in a dayy
[ a chinook is a warm wind just to let u no]
and because of global warming..
its probably gonna be a warmer winter.
but just come here,i'm sure ull like the experience
and ya, youll survive

Allison B

Just a question, but do you only plan to be in Calgary for 3 months during the winter or do you expect the winter to only be 3 months long? Calgary winters usually last until the beginning of May (there's always snow on the ground for my husband's birthday on May 3rd).
You'll notice that the cold here is dry so you won't get that chill in your bones like you would on a cold day in Florida - it's easier to warm up once you get inside.
I've lived here all my life and have only observed a couple years where it's below -20 for more than a couple weeks. The weather varies everyday - one year I took the dog for a walk on Christmas day without a jacket at all and it was snowing in Texas!

Basically, when it's cold people don't spend too much time outside (unless you work outside, then they have to have the appropriate outter wear). I know a couple people here that come from warmer climates (Florida, and Nigeria) and they find the winter cold like everyone else, but you get used to it and buy a warm coat :) Temperatures are all relative, if you're used to -10 and travel to Mexico where it 25 degrees - you'll find it almost unbearable for the first day or so.

You'll survive and be able to tell people about how you survived -20! Winter can be fun, with all the skiing, skating, sledding, etc.

Oh, all temps are in C not F