Calgary - Cold Weather

[canadapr98]

Dear Friends who live in Calgary, or lived in Calgary;

I am planning to move to Calgary with my 1 year-old son, and wondering how you manage the cold harsh weather in Calgary? Is it bearable for kids? Does the dry weather cause skin irritation to kids?

Also, does Calgary have lot of wind chill in the winter that makes winter more harsh? I have been in Calgary in the month of October 2012, and there was wind chill. Is wind chill common in Calgary?

We are planning to move, but only the cold weather is making us to think twice for us to move. Please let me know your experiences. Thank you in advance.

 

[Rossei]

First, I never lived in Calgary.

But since you're anxious for your kid; I thought I need to tell you this. One of my cousins moved to Calgary after getting a new job, but his son couldn't adjust with the weather though he was born in Montreal, Quebec. He had skin irritations and nose-bleeding. His dad told me that the abrupt weather change (not the cold) during day made it difficult to cope. Obviously, it doesn't imply to everyone as each of us has our own strength and adjusting ability. Funny thing is, they are all settled in Yellowknife, NWT now (which is lot colder) but my nephew is 6 yr old now.

I'm sure people who live in Calgary may have different opinion and rightfully they can shed more lights.

 

[amikety]

Calgary is dry so it feels warmer than it is most of the time. Never had issues with skin or nosebleeds. I have very dry skin already and it was much worse in the Toronto area (I lived just south of there in the USA). Sinuses are better too but not perfect.

My only health type concern are headaches. We have weather systems called chinooks that come through. They warm up the city and give me a horrible headache - but nothing a Tylenol won't solve.

There is rarely a biting wind chill due to the moisture that make other places so cold. I far prefer Calgary to other areas I've lived in Canada and the USA.

 

[bkd1969]

Calgary is dry so it feels warmer than it is most of the time. Never had issues with skin or nosebleeds. I have very dry skin already and it was much worse in the Toronto area (I lived just south of there in the USA). Sinuses are better too but not perfect.

My only health type concern are headaches. We have weather systems called chinooks that come through. They warm up the city and give me a horrible headache - but nothing a Tylenol won't solve.

There is rarely a biting wind chill due to the moisture that make other places so cold. I far prefer Calgary to other areas I've lived in Canada and the USA.

So, you like Calgary, including its weather. Nice to know. But I do not convince myself the weather in Calgary is superior to anywhere else.

 

[ottawa_girl]

We lived in Calgary before we moved permanently to Ottawa.

WE LOVED IT!

Yes it is cold but dry (not like the humid damp east cost) and the chinook warms it up. The blue sky is fantastic and the Rockies are stunningly beautiful.

Kids ? My son was born there in September and we left in February. So it was very small when we experienced our first winter. Bundle up! That's it! Snow pants and jackets are pretty good here. Never had any problems neither the kids.

My recommendation is Go for it. Canada is cold pretty much everywhere, I find Calgary more bearable than Ottawa but this is just my opinion. I would have stayed there if I didnt get job in Ottawa.

Hope it helps!

 

[emceemouli]

Hi

This is my second winter in Calgary...and frankly speaking..its not that bad....like in other parts its not cold continuosly...warm chinook winds come once in a while and makes it better...

I have been in Baltimore, USa before i came here and having the feeling that winter over there was much colder due to higher moisture content.... -7 C over here is like 0 over there... Kids adapt more easily than adults ...My 4 yr old adjusted more easily than us.....

Except that winter lasts until april or May....summer starts in July and ends in september...else no issues..

Regards
Chandra

 

[canadapr98]

Thank you Rossei, amikety, ottawa_girl, and emceemouli for your quick and informative responses. It really helps me a lot and increased my confidence in moving to Calgary.

Please advise me on three more questions:

1) I am looking at the weather forecasts almost everyday for past 10 days, and sometimes I find the temperatures as -11 deg C (feels like -20 deg C), and winds gusting 24 km/h. This kind of weather (especially I am currently from south central part of the USA, where there is not much cold) really looks like a harsh winter for me. However, I understand from your posts that this does not feel as harsh as the numbers look like. Is that right?

2) Winds gusting at 24 to 30 km/h: Are these not wind chills? Are these Chinook winds that make the weather warm? I have found these numbers almost everyday in the winter time.

3) Doctors in Calgary: I heard Canada does not have good enough number of medical doctors. Is it really difficult to find a primary care physician (or pediatrician)? One of my friends in Montreal says that he had to wait 2 months to see a doctor on one issue. I know that each city is different, and I would like to get information on Calgary. Please provide your experiences.

Thank you. Again, I appreciate your responses.

 

[ottawa_girl]

Here are my answers

1) We moved to Calgary from Atlanta, our child never experienced the cold neither the snow ......... no worries and welcome to Canada. It is a COLD country in winter but if you bundle up and try to ENJOY it , believe it is not that bad.

2) Again welcome to Canada!

3) Lack of doctors is a common problem as opposed to US. You don't have to wait 2 months to see a doctor, you can always go to walk in clinic and they will refer you to a specialist if needed. However it takes FOREVER to get a family doctor. I have been in Canada for 5 years since no family doctor but no problem to find and see a doctor.

Hope it helps!

 

[amikety]

Here are my answers

1) We moved to Calgary from Atlanta, our child never experienced the cold neither the snow ......... no worries and welcome to Canada. It is a COLD country in winter but if you bundle up and try to ENJOY it , believe it is not that bad.

2) Again welcome to Canada!

3) Lack of doctors is a common problem as opposed to US. You don't have to wait 2 months to see a doctor, you can always go to walk in clinic and they will refer you to a specialist if needed. However it takes FOREVER to get a family doctor. I have been in Canada for 5 years since no family doctor but no problem to find and see a doctor.

Wind gusts aren't sustained winds. It means the wind can spike to 24KM, which isn't that high for a gust. (14mph). Calgary isn't that windy. Lethbridge is. The winds are usually the warmer air. Occasional it's arctic air, which is very cold, but usually warm air from the coast.

I'm in search of a new doctor in Calgary and found two accepting new patients. You need to go to Alberta Healthcare's website and search for doctors taking new patients in your area to find someone.
Hope it helps!

I also moved from Atlanta. I grew up a few hours south of the Ontario border, however, so I knew what to expect. Canada is freezing compared to Atlanta. It doesn't matter where in Canada you move to. Compared to Atlanta, it's all very cold.

Canada is a cold country. If the cold is a major problem and you cannot handle it, then perhaps you should determine whether or not Canada is the right fit for you. On the other hand, if you dress properly and prepare for the cold, it isn't that big of a deal. In the winter, you must wear a thick, cold weather rated coat. No flimsy jackets and hoodies like the South. Two pairs of gloves, a scarf, hats or headbands - all necessary. You will need real winter boots - not the fashion type they sell in the South - boots rated to -15 C at least! Thermal socks... Long Johns... Preparing will help you tremendously.

That being said, Calgary is not as cold as my hometown. It's a good five hours north of where I grew up, but it feels warmer because the air is dry. Moist and humid areas always feel colder. As far as air moisture, Calgary is one of the best places in Canada to live.

 

[steaky]

Come to Vancouver then. It's still part of Canada but so far not hitting -11 deg C yet! If cold is major problem, then move to Vancouver. You don't need to wear thick, cold weather rated coat and boots.

I have no problem of getting a family doctor.

 

[canadapr98]

Thank you all again for your responses. Now, I am looking forward to moving to Calgary.

 

[lavis456]

Hi Chandra,

We are planning to move to Calgary from Houston on a work permit.
We wanted to ship our furniture and other stuff.
Really need to talk to you.
could you Please email me your number at donivkn@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance.

Hi

This is my second winter in Calgary...and frankly speaking..its not that bad....like in other parts its not cold continuosly...warm chinook winds come once in a while and makes it better...

I have been in Baltimore, USa before i came here and having the feeling that winter over there was much colder due to higher moisture content.... -7 C over here is like 0 over there... Kids adapt more easily than adults ...My 4 yr old adjusted more easily than us.....

Except that winter lasts until april or May....summer starts in July and ends in september...else no issues..

Regards
Chandra