Wildlife & Climate
Bow Valley Wildlife
Canmore and the surrounding area contain several wildlife corridors. These corridors are important habitat for many wildlife species, including bear, cougar, elk and big horn sheep. DO NOT approach wildlife. Keep your distance, for your safety and theirs.
For more information on these species, what to do if you encounter them and the wildlife corridors, please follow the links bellow.
Bow Valley Climate
The weather throughout the Canadian Rockies and around Canmore is extremely variable, due to our high altitude and the rugged mountain topography. Check the current Canmore weather conditions and forecasts.
| Month | Average High °C/°F | Average Low °C/°F |
| January | -5.3°/22.5° | -14.9°/5.2° |
| April | 9.0°/48.2° | -2.8°/27.0° |
| July | 22.1°/71.8° | 7.4°/45.3° |
| October | 10.1°/50.2° | -1.1°/30.0° |
| Annual rainfall: | 281 mm (11.06 in) |
| Annual snowfall: | 244 cm (96.1 in) |
| Frost free days: | 158 |
The summer season usually has low humidity, warm temperatures, and daylight hours lasting until 11 p.m. at the height of summer. Average highs are about 21º C (70º F) with night-time lows around 7º C (45º F).
Autumn (September - October)
Fall sees diminishing daylight hours and warm days, with cooling evening winds. Average temperatures are dropping, but the highs remain well above freezing and lows hover right around the freezing point.
Winter (November - March)
Although it can and does snow at any time of the year, the snow that falls in November usually stays for the winter. The average temperature during the winter months is around -12º C (6º F); however it is not unusual to have a two-week cold snap during December or January where temperatures plummet into the -30º C (-22º F) range.
Fortunately, Canmore regularly enjoy a pleasant winter weather phenomenon called a Chinook. The warm winds of the Chinook produce spring-like temperatures in a matter of hours, and the moderating influence can last for days or even weeks.
Spring (April - June)
Rain and warming temperatures begin to melt winter away from the valleys in April. However, the high mountain passes and trails remain snow-covered until mid-summer. June is Canmore’s rainiest month; this combined with snowmelt pushes the rivers to their crests.
UV Rating
The UV rating for Canmore is usually high to extremely high throughout the year. Because of the altitude and the sun's angle of incidence in this section of the world, people's skin tends to burn much faster than usual. You should use sunscreen, a shade hat, and sunglasses to avoid sunburn.
