CLIMATE
The weather throughout the Canadian Rockies and around
Banff is extremely variable due to high elevation
and rugged topography.
Summer (July - August)
The summer season usually has low humidity, warm temperatures
and daylight hours lasting until 11:00 p.m. at the height
of the summer equinox. Average highs are about 21º C
(70º F) with lows around 7º C (45º F).
Fall (Sept - Oct)
Fall sees diminishing daylight hours and warm days with cooling
evening winds. Average temperatures are dropping, but highs
remain well above freezing and lows hover right around freezing.
Winter(Nov - March)
Although it can and does snow at any time of the year, the
first snow generally begins to fall in November. The average
temperature during the winter months is around -12º C
(6º F); however it is not unusual to have a two-week
cold snap during December or January where temperatures plummet
into the -30º C/F range.
Fortunately Banff and areas west and south regularly receive
a welcome weather phenomenon called a Chinook, where warm
winds produce spring-like temperatures in a matter of hours,
which can last for days or even weeks.
Spring (April - June) Rain and warming temperatures begin to melt winter away
from the valleys in April; however snow does not leave the
mountain passes until mid-summer. June is Banff's rainiest
month: this combined with snowmelt pushes the rivers to their
crest.
