What Is The Climate Of St. John’s?
According to the Koppen Climate Classification, St. John’s is listed as a Dfb climate. This means a continental climate with no dry season and a warm summer. Other major cities in Canada with this classification are Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Halifax, among others.
The (D) in Dfb refers to the fact that the city has a continental climate. There are five categories this can fall under, with the others being Tropical (A), Dry (B), Temperate (C), and Polar (D). Tropical refers to a climate where the average temperature is 18 °C (64°F) or higher every single month of an average year. Dry (B) refers to having precipitation below a certain threshold, which depends on the temperature. If every month has a temperature of 10 °C (50°F) or below, it is a polar (E) climate. If an area does not fit into any of the above categories, it is considered either temperate (C) or Continental (D). Both of these types of climates are known for generally having distinct differences between the four seasons and are more likely than other places to have leaves change colour in the fall. The main difference between these two is that a temperate climate will have an average temperature of above freezing every month, while a continental climate will have at least one month where the average temperature is below freezing. Both types of climate are also known for having extreme storms, including thunderstorms and tornadoes.
The (f) in Dfb refers to having no dry season. Had summer (April – September) been significantly drier than winter (October – March), it would have been categorised as (s) (dry summer). Had the inverse been true, it would have been categorised as (w) (dry winter).
The (b) refers to having a warm summer. This means that there is no month with an average temperature of 22 °C (72°F), and at least four months with an average temperature of over 10 °C (50°F). Having a month of over 22 °C (72°F) would have made it a hot summer (a), and having fewer than four months where the average temperature is over 10 °C (50°F) would have made it a cold summer (c). A very cold winter (d) is another category when the temperature regularly slides very low in certain months.
What Is Everyday Weather Like In St. John’s?
Being part of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John’s might seem like it is quite far north. However, it is located at 47.5 degrees latitude, which is south of the 49th parallel, which is the main Canada-US border. This means that the city is south of the entire provinces of BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and is even south of a handful of American cities, including Seattle, Washington. This, combined with its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, makes it almost an Eastern variation of Vancouver in a lot of ways. The city has plenty of cloud cover and humidity, while also having high winds, regardless of the season, and 10-15 days per month with some precipitation. The city also has cool summers compared to many places at the same latitudes, but also has warmer winters than those same places, meaning that the differences between summer and winter are less pronounced than in other places. Wind tends to average over 25 km/h (15 mph).
What Is Spring Like In St. John’s?
Spring in St. John’s is relatively cool, starting with highs of around freezing and lows of near -5 C (23 F) in March. However, by May, each of these numbers will increase, although not by as much as in other cities, with temperatures ranging from 5 °C (41°F) to 10 °C (50°F). Lows are about 5 °C (9°F) lower. The amount of snow the city receives drops quickly, starting as very common in the beginning of the season, and being much more uncommon, but not unheard of, by the end of the season. Cloud cover will generally hover around 80% throughout the entire season, with humidity in the mid to high eighties, with the total amount of precipitation being around 80 – 100 mm per month.
What Is Summer Like In St. John’s?
Summer in St. John’s is relatively mild compared to other cities at the same latitude. In June, highs tend to hover around 10 C (50 F) with lows around 5 C (41 F). July and August are the hottest months in the city, with highs from around 15 C (59 F) to 20 C (68 F), and lows around 5 C (9 F) lower. Cloud cover ranges from around 70% to 80%, with humidity generally in the mid-eighties. Rain will be down slightly, with about 60mm – 80 mm on average per month.
What Is Fall Like In St. John’s?
Fall in St. John’s is warm in comparison to what it would seem, almost as warm as summer. Season starts off with highs of around 15 C (59 F) and lows of close to 10 C (50 F). By November, Highs will generally be between 10 °C (50°F) and 5 °C (41°F). There will generally be close to or over 100 mm of precipitation in each month, with snow being very rare, especially in September and October. Cloud Cover will hover from around 60% to 70% throughout the season, with humidity averaging in the low 80s. The leaves also change colour in the fall.
What Is Winter Like In St. John’s?
St. John’s, like most coastal cities, has warmer winters. December will have highs and lows just a few degrees away from freezing, and January and February generally have highs of around freezing, and lows of about -5C (23 F), with cloud cover at around 80%, and humidity averaging around 85%. There will generally be over 100mm of total precipitation, with a mix of both rain and snow.
Is St. John’s Right For Me?
St. John’s can, despite its low population, be a great place to live. If you enjoy a wild temperature year-round that lacks extremes, are willing to deal with cloud cover and precipitation, and like an ocean view, St. John’s can be the perfect city for you.