Western Canada

::This article is about a geographic region. For the school in Calgary, see Western Canada High School

Geography

Western British Columbia adjoins the Pacific Ocean but both Alberta and Saskatchewan are landlocked. Manitoba is almost landlocked but for a small coastal area of Hudson Bay on the north east border, where the port of Churchill is located.

Related Topics:
Pacific Ocean - Landlocked - Hudson Bay - Churchill

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The coast of British Columbia and Vancouver Island enjoy a moderate climate due to the influence of the Pacific Ocean with temperatures similar to those of the British Isles. Winters are typically wet and summers relatively dry. These areas enjoy the mildest winter weather in all of Canada, as temperatures rarely fall much below the freezing mark. The interior of the province is drier and has colder winters and substantially hotter summers.

Related Topics:
British Columbia - Vancouver Island - British Isles

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Alberta borders the Canadian Rocky Mountains and the Southern portion benefits from frequent moderate climatic conditions known as "chinooks" where warm winds raise the winter temperature sufficiently to allow a full range of winter sports and the occasional game of golf. Alberta's weather is exceptionally changeable, and short-sleeve weather can occur in January and February, or conversely it can (and frequently does) snow in August.

Related Topics:
Alberta - Canadian Rocky Mountains

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Saskatchewan and Manitoba experience extremes in weather, although Manitoba suffers the brunt of both extremes more so than Saskatchewan. Winters in both provinces can be classified as harsh with Arctic winds and -40° temperatures possible. Winter maximums in both provinces average between -10C and -15C. The extreme nature of the Manitoba climate has resulted in the capital city Winnipeg being nicknamed "Winterpeg". In contrast summers can be extremely hot with temperatures sometimes exceeding 35C.

Related Topics:
Saskatchewan - Manitoba - Arctic

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~