How Rainy is Canada?
Canada is large enough that this isn’t answerable with a simple yes or no. The amount of rain that Canada gets varies a lot. Warm places that border the ocean, like BC in the west, and the Atlantic provinces in the east, contain the rainiest cities in Canada. Meanwhile, the prairies and territories have very little by comparison. However, Canada is not entirely a land of extremes, as places such as Quebec and Ontario will often feature a more middling amount of rain. If you would like to know more about temperatures around the country, you can also read about the warmest cities in Canada and the coldest cities in Canada.
How Does Rain Occur?
Rain occurs when water droplets held in clouds are too heavy to stay suspended in the air and fall to earth in the form of precipitation. A basic cycle of how rain is formed happens as follows:
Step 1: Water evaporates and turns into clouds. This water can have plenty of origins. Sometimes it is there from previous rain. Maybe it’s water vapour in the air. In some areas, it’s very likely that this water comes from the surface area. Regardless of the origin, the created clouds float high up in the atmosphere, usually above 2000 metres in the air, and sometimes well above double that.
Step 2: The water droplets within the cloud begin to get heavier.
Step 3: The water droplets become too heavy to remain in the air and begin to fall as rain. If the temperature is below freezing (0 C or 32 F), it falls instead as snow.
Why Are Some Places Rainer Than Others?
The most common reason that some places are rainier than others is proximity to large bodies of water. Places bordering a coastline will generally see much more rain than places that are far from water. This is especially true with large bodies of water. While being close to a moderately sized lake increases the amount of rain a city receives by a notable amount, this difference pales when compared to what is often seen in cities that are next to the ocean.
It should also be noted that mountains and wind also impact the amount of rain a place gets. If you live near mountains, you are likely to get more rain if the clouds go over your home city before they reach the mountains. However, if clouds blow over the mountains before reaching you, then you will almost certainly receive less rain than you otherwise would. This is why clouds often form near the Pacific, and blow towards the Rockies, dumping rain near there, and giving the prairies plenty of sun. This is why so many of the sunniest cities in Canada are in the prairies.
Warmer cities also generally receive more rain since water evaporates more readily than cooler ones.
Rainiest Cities In The Territories
The territories, due to their position so far north, get less precipitation than most of the rest of the country. However, most of the precipitation that they do get is snow, not rain. However, there are still some places that get a decent amount of snow and rainfall.
Fort Lillard, Northwest Territories
Fort Lillard isn’t the kind of city that gets talked about recently. Its total population is less than that of some high schools, and one of its largest attractions is a small craft shop However, it does have one title it can rule over: being the city in Northwest Territories with the most rain despite only having about 450 millimetres annually. One of the furthest south settlements in the territory, it is located less than a one-hour drive away from both British Columbia and the Yukon.
Kinngait, Nunavut
Formerly known as Cape Dorset, has about 420 millimetres of rain annually. This city, which is located right at the southernmost point of Baffin Island is one of the most artsy cities in the country, with over a fifth of the city’s population employed in the arts.
Watson Lake, Yukon
Located in the southeastern portion of the territory, Watson Lake also gets around 420 millimetres of rain per year. Its most notable attraction is The Northern Light Centre, which can let you learn about aurora borealis at any time of year, at set schedules during the day, in that part of the country, located entirely within the facility.
Rainiest Cities In BC
Due to the combination of it bordering the Pacific Ocean, and having the Rocky Mountains, British Columbia has plenty of the rainiest cities in Canada. Even some of the least rainy cities in the province get more rain than the wettest cities in other provinces. However, we can only choose so many for this list and had to leave out a lot of cities known for their rain, including Vancouver. Here are four of the rainiest.
Chilliwack
Getting over 1600 millimetres of rain per year, Chilliwack gets much more rain than any of the previous entries. This city is in the southwestern portion of the province. A handful of rock bands originated in Chilliwack. It’s also a great place to see nature, with attractions that include Bridal Veil Falls Provincial Park, Great Blue Heron Nature Reserve, Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park, and Vetter River Rotary Trail.
Port Hardy
This small town on the northern end of Vancouver Island gets almost 2000 millimetres of rain annually, making it the rainiest place on this list so far. The Quarterdeck Restaurant And Pub is a real highlight in this city.
Prince Rupert
With over 3000 millimetres of rain on average per year Prince Rupert is extremely rainy, and to be expected considering it’s on the coast. The city takes advantage of its oceanside beauty, with a plethora of hiking trails, fishing spots and boat tours.
Tofino
It keeps getting rainier, as the small town of Tofino on Vancouver Island has even more rain, averaging over 3250 millimetres per year. Tofino is a popular surfing destination and also has many places open for hiking, fishing and camping.
Rainiest Cities In The Prairies
The prairies are generally not very rainy. Even the cities listed here tend to have less rain than cities not listed in other provinces. However, there are some places in the prairies with more rain than others. The rainiest place in each of the prairie provinces is listed below.
Moosomin, Saskatchewan
With 515 millimetres of rain annually on average, Moosomin is a lot less rainy than even some of the driest regions in the country. However, in the dry, sunny region of Saskatchewan, Moosomin is the wettest, with the exception of small, unincorporated areas too small to be eligible for this list. Moosomin is just west of the Alberta border and has a regional museum and a district regional park.
Steinbach, Manitoba
Located in the southeastern portion of the province, Steinbach has the third largest population in Manitoba and gets an average of almost 600 millimetres of rain per year, which is very high compared to anywhere else in the prairies. With a BMX track, a curling rink, a skate park, and a splash park for kids, there is plenty for a family to do, assuming it stays dry, which since it’s in the prairies, it probably will.
Cardston, Alberta
The small town of Cardston, located right near the American border has just over 500 millimetres of rain per year. With the Remmington Carriage Museum, Courthouse Museum, and Card Pioneer Home, there are plenty of museums here if you ever find yourself in Cardston.
Rainiest Cities In Ontario
Despite not getting nearly as much rain as BC, Ontario does get a lot more precipitation than the prairies and the territories. The vast majority of cities in the province, even the driest, are often wetter than even the rainiest places in the prairies. Ontario does get a wide range in the amount of precipitation its cities receive, with the rainiest places getting almost double the amount of precipitation as the driest.
Cornwall
Averaging just over 1000 millimetres of rain annually, Cornwall is on the border of New York State. With a waterfront trail, Legion Memorial Park, The Cornwall Sports Hall Of Fame and multiple golf courses, Cornwall is a place where you can easily enjoy the outdoors…unless it’s raining. Then maybe a community museum or the Rush Hour Escapes Cornwall Escape room would be a good fit for your entertainment.
Huntsville
Huntsville also comes in at just over 1000 millimetres annually. Being right near Algonquin Park gives Huntsville plenty of things to do while enjoying nature.
London
Located to the west of Toronto, Hamilton, and even Brantford, London is located right by Ontario’s Thames River, just like how the English city it’s named after is located next to its own Thames River. Also getting just over 1000 millimetres of rain per year, it’s likely that said river has an impact on the city’s weather. With Fanshawe Pioneer Village and Eldon House among others, this city has plenty of historical sites for you to see.
North Bay
Getting close to 1050 millimetres of rain each year, North Bay gets just a touch more than the above places, although the amount is relatively small. Located near Quebec, the city is often called “The Gateway To The North.” You can go sailing on the Chief Commanda II, visit the Capital Centre or Duchesnay Falls, or the Canadian Armed Forces Museum Of Aerospace.
Owen Sound
Owen Sound is the rainiest city in Ontario, as it is the only one that averages over 1100 millimetres of rain annually. Multiple variations of the Bruce Peninsula Day Trip, as well as a trip to Inglis Falls or Harrison Park, are great outdoor activities. If it’s raining badly enough to leave you indoors, the Grey Roots Museum and the Tom Thomson Art Gallery are fantastic indoor activities.
Rainiest Cities In Quebec
Cities in Quebec generally have more rain than Ontario cities, as even the least rainy cities in the province approach 1000 millimetres annually, except cities in the northern parts of the province. Four of the rainiest are listed below.
Granby
Located east of Montreal, Granby generally receives over 1200 millimetres of rain annually, putting it ahead of any city in Ontario or the prairies. Here, you can visit a historical museum called The Musee Canadien De l’Arme Et Du Bronze, visit the Zoo do Granby, and more.
Lachute
Located to the west of Montreal, Lachute gets about 1150 millimetres of rain annually. This small town has both a farmer’s market and a golf course, for those interested in making a visit.
Quebec City
Getting around 1175 millimetres of rain annually the capital of the French-speaking province is not exempt from rain. The city has plenty of history, with several tours including the Guided Tour of the Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac in Quebec City, the Group Excursion of Quebec City and Montmorency Falls and the Full-Day Quebec City Tour plus Sightseeing Cruise. Additionally, there is also the Quebec City Ferry and Place Royal for you to visit.
Thetford Mines
Thetford Mines comes in with over 1300 millimetres of rain annually, making it the rainiest city in Quebec. While there, be sure to check out the Minéro – Musée De Thetford, a mining museum that digs deep (pun intended) into the history of mining in the area.
Rainiest Cities In Atlantic Canada
Due to the proximity to the ocean, cities in Atlantic Canada often have large amounts of rain. Usually, behind British Columbia, it’s the region of the country that has the second most rain, behind that of British Columbia.
Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
With over 1500 millimetres of rain annually, Bridgewater is the wettest city in Nova Scotia. While there, take a look at the Wile Carding Mill Museum, The Wine Kings Winery, and Cookville Provincial Park.
New Glasgow, Prince Edward Island
New Glasgow averages just over 1250 millimetres of rain annually, making it the rainiest city in PEI. If you ever visit this city, make sure that you visit the beautiful Gardens Of Hope, and get something from the local store called “The Toy Factory” to remember your stay.
St. John, New Brunswick
With almost 1300 millimetres of annual rain, St John is the rainiest city in New Brunswick. While there, you can check out Irving Nature Park, Rockwood Park, and The New Brunswick Museum.
St. Lawrence, Newfoundland And Labrador
Averaging over 1600 millimeters of rain annually, St Lawrence is surprisingly, not bordering the St. Lawrence River. Fun things to do here include the St. Lawrence Nature Walk and the St. Lawrence Miners Memorial Museum.