Climate

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The weather

The Bay of Quinte region has four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Overall, the climate has lots of changes throughout the year, making it great for different outdoor activities like swimming in summer and skiing in winter.

A photo of a woman holding a white daffodil crouching down over a bunch of yellow daffodils.

Spring

March 20 to June 20

Spring is a rainy season in most parts of Ontario. Make sure you have an umbrella or a raincoat to stay dry. Average daytime temperatures are about 8°C in March and rise slowly through the rest of the season. The nights are cool.

Helpful tip: You may still see snow in Canada until April. Spring is also the time that Canadians clean up their yards and change vehicle tires to summer tires. 

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A person sitting in a lounge chair at the beach reading a book.

Summer

June 21 to September 21

July and August can be very hot and humid. In southern Ontario, daytime temperatures are usually above 20°C and frequently above 30°C.  In the summer it’s a good idea for you and your family to practice sun safety and wear a hat and sunscreen.

Helpful tip: Canadians love to spend time on boats and swim in lakes and rivers during the summer and into the fall. You can visit a beach or go camping in one of the provincial parks nearby. If you don’t know how to swim, make sure you wear a life jacket.

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A young woman with long brown hair in a yellow jacket standing in a fall coloured forest looking up.

Fall

September 22 - December 20

As fall (sometimes called autumn) arrives, the weather gets cooler, and the days become shorter (Ontario ends daylight saving time on the first Sunday of November). Many trees change colour and their leaves fall to the ground. In early fall, some parts of Ontario can be rainy, while northern areas may see snow starting in October. The temperature slowly drops during the season, so be sure to wear a jacket and bring an umbrella to stay warm and dry.

Helpful tip: Canadians often spend time raking fallen leaves in their yards and preparing gardens for winter. November is the time of year to change your vehicle’s tires over to winter/snow tires. 

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A photo of a young child sitting in the snow at the side of a trail.

Winter

December 21 to March 19

Winter in Canada is a fun time when you can enjoy sports like skating and tobogganing. But it also gets very cold, and it may snow a lot depending on where you live. Most of the time, the temperature is below 0°C, and sometimes it can get colder than -30°C, which is dangerous if you’re not dressed warmly. To stay warm, you should wear layers of clothing and a hat. If you have children you may find it helpful to read this information about Dressing for Winter.

Helpful tip: Being prepared for winter is very important in Canada. Snow and ice storms can affect driving conditions and cause power outages. Cold temperatures increase the risk of winter related health issues such as frostbite, hypothermia or injuries from falling.

Understanding winter safety is essential. Putting snow tires on your vehicle and wearing warm winter clothes is normal for Canadians.

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