What Is The Sunniest Place In Canada?
The sunniest place in Canada is the prairies, with southern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta being particularly prone to getting lots of warm sun. However, the other cities within these provinces, as well as most of Manitoba are all among the sunniest cities in Canada. Places closer to the ocean on both sides of the country, tend to experience less sunlight than others. This means that cities such as Prince Rupert, St Johns, Charlottetown, and Abbottsford are some of the least sunny places in the country. If you want to book a vacation and are worried about bad weather ruining your trip, minimize those odds by visiting one of the sunniest cities in Canada.
Why Are The Prairies So Sunny?
The main reason that the prairies are all among the sunniest cities in Canada is that they are so much drier. Cities that are near oceans will often be covered in clouds, and even rain after the water from the ocean evaporates. Places near lakes are also like this to a lesser extent.
Something that makes the prairies even sunnier is the fact that many of the clouds from the Pacific Ocean that travel towards the prairies often drop all their moisture over the Rocky Mountains. The size of the mountains will force a lot of hot air up towards the atmosphere, causing the clouds to fall as rain before even reaching the prairies.
Sunniest Cities In The Territories
The territories aren’t exactly known for their sunny days. They are so far north that some days, especially in the winter, will have little if any sunshine due to how short a day is. However, the cities listed here, despite not quite being north of the Arctic Circle, are often able to experience 20 hours of sunlight a day. While not quite a midnight sun, this can still be a cool experience.
Whitehorse, Yukon
The largest city in the Canadian territories, and capital of Yukon, is also the city within the territory that has the most sunshine. Almost every day in the summer will have a few hours of sunshine, even on the cloudiest days, as during the 20 hours of the day, there will almost certainly be some time without cloud cover. Even in winter, with only a few hours of daylight, most days have some sun. Overall, Whitehorse experiences over 1800 hours of sunlight per year, with around 300 days with some sunlight annually, by far the most in both categories of any place in the Yukon, and the 300 days with some sun is the most of any settlement in any territory. This high amount of sunlight is due to the nearby mountains getting clouds to rain down before hitting the city, clearing up the skies.
Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
Capitals seem to be faring very well here, as like Yukon, the Northwest Territories’ sunniest city is its capital. With over 2200 hours of sunlight per year, this city gets the most annual sunlight of any city in any of the territories. However, it has fewer days with sun than Whitehorse, with only around 275. This does mean, however, that the days with sunlight will have more hours of sun per day on average. With 20 hours of daylight each day at the maximum, and highs of 15 C to 20 C each day, booking a trip to Yellowknife can be great if you’re someone who wants to escape the heat associated with some of the warmest cities in Canada, and replace it with a more moderate warmth with more sunlight. This sunlight is due to it being far from any ocean.
Fort Simpson, Northwest Territories
Despite having fewer total hours of sunlight per year than its territorial capital, with only around 2075 annual hours of sunlight, it has slightly more sunny days, averaging out to 283 per year, and is far from any body of water, leading to a lack of clouds. The amount of sunlight this small village of just over 1000 people features the “Open Sky Festival,” which certainly suits the amount of sun that it gets.
Sunniest Cities In BC
British Columbia generally doesn’t see as much sun as other provinces in the country. This is for two main reasons. One is the proximity to the Pacific Ocean, and the other is the fact that the Rockies extend into the province. These combine to mean that often clouds will form at the Western, portion of the province, travel all the way east, and then dump down rain on the eastern cities, giving clear skies to Alberta and the rest of the prairies. That said, there are still some cities that receive their share of sun. They are listed below.
Cranbrook
Cranbrook has more sunny hours than any other city in the province, averaging 2191 hours of sun per year. This places it significantly ahead of any other city in the Southeastern portion of the province, and is due to the fact that the nearby mountains cause rain before the air reaches the city. The city is home to the Cranbrook History Centre, which used to be known as the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel, which has recently expanded to show more information about the Cranbrook area and still shows a large amount of Canadian Railway history. This, combined with the amount of sunlight in the city, while still getting a great view of the Rockies, can make it a great place to visit.
Fort St John
With 2095 hours of sunlight and 304 days of sun annually, this city of just over 20,000 is the sunniest in Northern BC due to how far it is from the ocean. With Fort St John North Peace Museum, Beatton Provincial Park, Fort St Johns Link Golf Course, Pomeroy Sport Centre which has two NHL-sized rinks, and an extensive number of walking and hiking trails, there are plenty of things you can do while enjoying the sun in Fort St John.
Kamloops
While Cranbrook has the most hours of sun per year, Kamloops averages out to having the most days with sun, averaging an amazing 316 per year, one more than Cranbrook due to the nearby mountains causing rain, leaving the skies clear. With a wine festival, film festival, the Brewloops beer festival, a ribfest and a comedy fest, Kamloops has an active cultural scene for you to attend as well.
Vancouver
Surely, you would expect Vancouver to lack sun since it’s right on the ocean, but it’s surprisingly sunny with 1938 hours of sunlight spread throughout 289 days of sun, giving it the most sun in the Southwestern portion of the province. The lack of nearby mountains causes the skies to be somewhat clear nearby. The third largest city in the country has so much to do, that it’s hard to determine where to begin, and it is an absolutely beautiful city to experience.
Vernon
Located in the province’s southeast, Vernon has 2027 hours of sunlight annually, spread over 308 days with some sun due to the mountains being far enough to the east that rain has fallen before the air reaches the city, clearing up the skies. This town of over 40,000 has a strong sports culture with five golf courses, and tennis, curling, skiing, snowboarding, and most recently, pickleball, all being popular. If sports aren’t your thing, you can visit Kalamalka Indigenous Garden, O’Keefe Ranch, The Mackie Lake House, and much more.
Victoria
Victoria is by far the sunniest city on Vancouver Island, having both the most hours of sunshine in a year – 2109,and days with sunlight – 308, possibly because it’s southern location. coming out ahead of Nanaimo, which has 1940 and 295, making it second place in both. Victoria has plenty of Whale watching, ferry rides, and fun attractions such as the Bug Zoo, Castlehouse Museum, and Malahat Skywalk for you to enjoy.
Sunniest Cities In The Prairies
The prairie provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba are often some of the sunniest cities in Canada for the reasons mentioned earlier in this article Even some cities not listed here, such as Edmonton, are still sunnier than the sunniest cities in most non-prairie provinces. Some of the sunniest cities in the prairies are listed below.
Brandon, Manitoba
With 2358 hours of annual sunlight and 314 days with some sun, Brandon is sunnier than any city we’ve discussed so far due to its southern location and distance from the ocean. As the second most populated city in Manitoba, there’s a lot to do here, such as going to Albert’s Bistro and Mini Golf, Kickin’ Axe Throwing, fun time pottery, the NeXgen family entertainment centre, multiple museums, and more.
Brooks, Alberta
Despite being a small city of around 15,000, Brooks is one of the sunniest cities in Canada, with 2387 hours of sun spread over 330 days that include sun due to the nearby mountains causing rain to fall before reaching Brooks. Some of the fun things to do here include Tillebrook Provincial Park, Brooks And District Museum, and White Barn Fun Farm.
Calgary, Alberta
With an average of 2396 hours of sunlight over 333 days with sun, Calgary gets more sun than any other major city in Canada, once again, due to its proximity to the Rockies. Calgary has plenty of Broadway and theatre locations including the Calgary Opera and Theatre Calgary. Museums include Canada’s Sports Hall Of Fame, The Military Museums, Lougheed House, and more. There are plenty of skiing, tubing and bobsledding activities if you go in the winter and plenty of hikes for those who travel there in summer.
Estavan, Saskatchewan
Almost on the US border, Estavan has 2404 hours of sunlight with 324 days of sunlight due to being far from the coast and near the south. This place has the Estavan Leisure Centre, which has a beautiful pool and is open to playing almost any sport. Hidden Valley Golf Course is a solid 9-holer. For those who want something other than sports, there is an art gallery, Souris Valley Museum, and plenty of parks that will let you enjoy the sunny weather.
Gimli, Manitoba
With 2359 hours of sun and over 317 days of sun, the unincorporated town of Gimli is the sunniest place in Manitoba, since it is located before Lake Winnipeg. With plenty of hiking trails, camping, and golf courses, the city takes full advantage of being so sunny. There are also plenty of beaches since the town is on the edge of Lake Winnipeg.
Lethbridge, Alberta
Known as the windiest city in Canada, with 2507 hours of sunlight, and 333 days, Lethbridge is one of the sunniest cities in Canada due to it being so far south. With many parks, including Henderson Lake Park, Indian Battle Park, Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Park Lake Provincial Park, and more. You can take advantage of the sun, assuming you don’t mind the wind or better yet want the wind to cool you down in the summer.
Medicine Hat, Alberta
With 2544 hours of sun in 330 days, Medicine Hat is very sunny due to how far south and how dry it is. Racing fans will enjoy seeing a race at the Medicine Hat Auto Racing Association. Other things you might want to see include the Medicine Hat Brewing Company, The Monarch Theatre, Medicine Hat Exhibition And Stampede, and Strathcona Island Park.
Swift Current, Saskatchewan
With 2411 hours of sunlight over 324 days, Swift Current is the sunniest city in Saskatchewan, with a southern location and dry region being the reasons. The city is home to the Saskatchewan Hockey Hall of Fame, the Living Sky Casino, its art gallery, and the Windscape Kite Festival.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Winnipeg averages 2353 hours of sunlight and 316 days of sun each year, making your odds of catching a lot of sun very high, once again a southern location being the reason. Museums of note in Winnipeg include the Canadian Museum of Human Rights, The Manitoba Museum, The Royal Aviation Museum Of Western Canada, and the Winnipeg Art Gallery. Outdoor activities that will let you take advantage of the sunshine include Leo Mol Sculpture Garden, Assiniboine Park, Fort Whyte Alive and Tinkertown Family Fun Park.
Sunniest Cities In Ontario
Ontario has many of the largest cities in Canada. While there is a wide range between the sunniest and least sunny cities in the province, many of the largest are the sunniest. This is lucky for anyone who lives or wants to visit there, as there is a lot to do in many of the sunniest cities in Canada.
Hamilton
With averages of 2111 hours of sunlight and 301 days with sun, Hamilton is surprisingly sunny, which contrasts heavily with how close it is to Lake Ontario, possibly since it is west of the lake, and south. Being the city of waterfalls, Hamilton is a great place to go for a hike in the summer. If museums are more your speed, its art gallery, Dundurn Castle, and the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum are places you will likely enjoy.
Ottawa
Our nation’s capital averages 2084 hours and 304 days of sunlight per year since its far from water. Being full of history, Ottawa is a perfect place to visit. It has a bunch of museums including the Canadian War Museum, Canadian Museum of History, Canadian Aviation Museum, Canadian Museum of History, and many more. Depending on the time of year, there is also axe throwing, archery, skating the Rideau Canal, and the opportunity to visit the Peace Tower and Parliament.
Sarnia
Located at the tip of Lake Huron and right by the US border, Sarnia averages 2061 hours and 288 days of sun per year since it’s not directly east of a major body of water. There are plenty of fun places you can go to take advantage of Sarnia’s sun, including Mike Weir Park, Korny Korners Farm, Germain Park, Hiawatha Horse Park, Canatara Park and Centennial Park.
Thunder Bay
Located on the shore of Lake Superior, Thunder Bay averages 2121 hours and 305 days of sunlight annually since it doesn’t get more clouds from its proximity to Lake Superior. Some fun things to do in Thunder Bay include the Cascades Conservation Area, the Centennial Conservatory, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, Birch Point Disc Golf Course, and The Thunder Bay Museum.
Toronto
The largest city in the country averages 2066 hours of sun annually, with 305 days having at least some sun for many of the same reasons as Toronto. The list of fun things to do in Toronto is extremely high and certainly worth its own article.
Sunniest Cities In Quebec
Quebec doesn’t have as much sun as other places, but there are still a handful of sunny places in the French-speaking province.
Baie-Comeau
This city of 20,000 is located on the St. Lawrence River and gets an average of 2002 hours of sun spread over 297 days per year since its west, not east, of the St. Lawrence. Many of the fun things to do in this city feature the St. Lawrence River including seeing the Daniel-Johnson Dam, and the Matane-Baie-Comeau/Godbout Ferry.
Montreal
With 2051 hours of sunlight spread throughout 305 days, the largest city in the province is also the sunniest due to its distance from the ocean. There are so many fun things to do in Montreal, too many to list here.
Sunniest Cities In Atlantic Canada
Due to its proximity to the ocean, Atlantic Canada doesn’t see as much sun as other areas. However, some cities are still relatively sunny. Here is the sunniest city from each province.
Churchill Falls, Labrador
With 1683 hours of sunlight throughout 284 days of sun, Churchill Falls is the sunniest city in the Northern Atlantic province since its far from the ocean compared to the rest of the province. When travelling here, the Churchill Falls River And Picnic Area and Churchill Falls Dog Park are great destinations to let you enjoy the sun.
Dalhousie, New Brunswick
Dalhousie has 2028 hours of sunlight per year, with 293 days of sunlight. Pretty much everything in Newfoundland is accessible from Dalhousie, giving you plenty of things to do.
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Larger cities get one last gasp here, as Halifax gets 1962 hours of sunlight in its 290 days of sun. The Canadian Museum of Immigration, 2-hour long tall ship sailing cruise, Halifax Sunset Cruise, and more are all fun things you can do while enjoying the Halifax sun.
Summerside, Prince Edward Island
Although PEI is small enough that almost all activities in the province are within driving distance from anywhere on the island,1980 hours of sun in 291 sunny days make it slightly sunnier than the rest of the province. Due to its small size, anywhere in the province is within driving distance, giving you a few solid other cities to see on your trip to Summerside.
