Seasons in Canada

Between March 19 And 21

Astronomical 

Vernal (Spring) Equinox

During an equinox, the length of the day and the night are almost exactly the same.

April

Biological 

Spring Peepers Begin Calling

The spring peeper (Pseudacris crucifer), a small frog that lives across much of south-central and southeastern Canada, begins calling in April and continues through May. They are known for their very loud, high-pitched peeps that are repeated many times. The chorus of males’ combined calls can be heard from more than a kilometre away.

Between April 22 And 23

Astronomical 

Lyrid Meteor Showers Peak

From mid to late April, the Lyrids are visible over Canada when it is dark and the skies are clear. This meteor shower peaks around 22–23 April every year, producing around 10 to 15 meteors per hour.

Late April

Biological 

Gartersnakes Emerge from Manitoba Snake Dens

The Narcisse Snake Dens in Manitoba are world-renowned. Within, around 100,000 red-sided gartersnakes (Thamnophis sirtalis parietalis) hibernate through the winter, making it the largest concentration of red-sided gartersnakes in the world. From late April through May, these harmless snakes emerge in large numbers to breed and disperse for the summer. Tourists flock to witness the event every year.

Early May

Biological 

Peak Spring Songbird Migration at Point Pelee

Throughout the spring, songbirds that migrated south for the winter slowly move back north. Point Pelee National Park is perfectly positioned to receive birds as they cross the Great Lakes back into Canada. During early May, some 230 bird species may be seen in Point Pelee National Park on their northward migration.

Late May

Environmental 

Peak Iceberg Viewing along Iceberg Alley

Iceberg Alley stretches along the coast of Newfoundland and Labrador, with icebergs floating southward from Greenland and Arctic Canada. While icebergs may be visible along Iceberg Alley throughout spring and summer, late May and early June are typically the best times to view them.

Between June 20 And 22

Astronomical 

Summer Solstice

During the Summer Solstice, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Cancer. As a result, days are at their longest and nights are at their shortest around the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.

Between August 12 And 13

Astronomical 

Perseid Meteor Showers Peak

Between mid-July and mid-August, the Perseids are visible from Canada. At its peak, around 12–13 August each year, some 50 to 80 meteors are visible every hour in the darkest hours of the night.

September

Biological 

Canada Geese Begin to Migrate South

Canada geese (Vranta canadensis) may migrate south between late August and early December, and will return to the summer range from late January to early May.

Mid-september

Biological 

Alpine Larches Turn Gold in the Rockies

Larches, including the Alpine larch (Larix lyallii), are one of the few coniferous trees that change colours in the fall (see Autumn Colours). In September and October, tourists flock to hiking trails in Alberta and British Columbia to witness the mountain valleys turn gold.

Between September 21 And 24

Astronomical 

Autumnal (Fall) Equinox

During an equinox, the length of the day and the night are almost exactly the same.

Mid-november

Astronomical 

Peak Aurora Borealis Season Begins in Yellowknife

Yellowknife, NWT, is one of the best places in Canada to view the northern lights. During the peak season, which lasts from around mid-November to early April, there is a 98 per cent chance of seeing the northern lights at least once over the course of three days.

Mid-december

Astronomical 

Geminid Meteor Showers Peaks

From early to mid-December, the Geminids are visible in the skies above Canada at night. Peaking in mid-December, the Geminids can produce about 120 meteors per hour. The Geminids are also known for occasionally producing fireballs — meteors of greater size and density than usual, which flare bright enough to sometimes be visible even from cities.

Between December 20 And 23

Astronomical 

Winter Solstice

During the Winter Solstice, the sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn. As a result, nights are at their longest and days are at their shortest around the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere.