1. Climate of Canada Betsy Arntzen Canadian Studies K-12 Outreach Coordinator Canadian-American Center. University of Maine www.umaine.edu/teachingcanada February 2011 www.umaine.edu/teachingcanada

2. Massachusetts Grade 4 Frameworks 4.18 Describe the climate, major physical characteristics, and major natural resources of Canada and explain their relationship to settlement, trade, and the Canadian economy.

3. Recent Weather Conditions Celsius to Fahrenheit 5 = 41 -10 = 14 -29 = -20 February 2, 2011

4. Climate of Canada The variety of landscapes results in a diversity of climate.

5. CityAverage July Average max -July Average January Average max January Calgary AB19.426.4-3.92.5 Charlottetown PE19.423.7-5.8-1.7 Edmonton AB18.425.8-9.7-2.6 Halifax NS19.023.7-4.50.0 Montreal QC20.425.1-6.4-3.1 Ottawa ON19.725.2-7.4-3.8 Regina SK21.930.1-13.2-7.0 Toronto ON21.327.0-2.90.6 Vancouver BC18.822.83.05.6 Average temperatures in Canada’s main centers (Celsius):

6. Region: ARCTIC Four months with above freezing temperatures Permafrost - low precipitation and cold temperatures Tundra – carpeted with low-lying vegetation of mosses, lichens, herbs, and dwarf shrubs Coastal erosion of permafrost. Canada geese on the tundra near Kuujjuaq, northern Quebec

7. Iqaluit, Nunavut

8. Region: ATLANTIC The Atlantic Ocean moderates the climate so winters are generally long and mild, and summers are short and cool. Wooded uplands, fertile lowlands, and a 7,000 mile long shoreline

9. Halifax, Nova Scotia

10. Region: ST. LAWRENCE The climate is characterized by warm summers and cool winters, moderated by surrounding water bodies. These conditions are suitable to the growth of mixed wood and broadleaf forests.

11. Toronto, Ontario

12. Region: CANADIAN SHIELD On the Canadian Shield, summers are short, warm; winters are long and cold. Boreal Forests - Abundant annual precipitation allows coniferous forests to establish and grow

13. Chisasibi,Quebec

14. Region: PRAIRIES On the Prairies, the large number of days of sunshine allow for development of the agricultural landscape

15. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

16. Region: PACIFIC COAST Temperate Rainforests – On the Pacific coast, the combination of heavy rainfall and mild temperatures year round supports temperate rain forests, large trees

17. Prince Rupert, British Columbia

18. Climate of Canada For More Information: National Climate Data and Information Archive http://climate.weatheroffice.gc.ca/Welcome_e.html Locate climate data for many Canadian cities using our interactive map of Canada. Access the same hourly, daily or monthly data and Almanac averages and extremes by typing in the station name or location into the customized search tool. Sources for images: Google images Information cross checked with: Government of Canada websites Please submit comments to: Betsy Arntzen Canadian Studies K-12 Outreach Coordinator Canadian-American Center. University of Maine www.umaine.edu/teachingcanada February 2011 www.umaine.edu/teachingcanada