Moving from Seattle to Calgary
A climate comparison of two homes: Washington to Alberta. The dates below come from the nearest official weather station to each place.
Climate Match
Freezing months go from 0 months to 5 months.
Seattle, WA to Calgary, AB
The full comparison
| Measure | From | To | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Months below freezing | 0 months | 5 months | 5 more |
| Frost-free season | 247 days | 117 days | 130 days shorter |
| Last spring frost | March 13 | May 21 | 69 days later |
| Coldest month | 6C in December | -7C in January | 13C colder |
| Warmest month | 20C in August | 17C in July | 3C cooler |
Moving from Seattle to Calgary reshapes the home year. The coldest month is 13C colder. Summers get 3C cooler. Your growing season is 130 days shorter. Plan on a new rhythm for the house and garden.
What changes about the house
- Coldest month: it is colder at the destination. Check local heating needs and winterize before the cold season.
- Freezing months: there are more at the destination. Plan for a longer period of freeze-related home maintenance.
- Garden: the frost-free season is shorter or the last spring frost is later. Consider transplants, short-season varieties, and cold frames.
Season by season
Spring starts later
Your last spring frost moves from March 13 to May 21, 69 days later. Delay tender planting and spring openings.
Summers run cooler
The warmest month goes from 20C in August to 17C in July. Cooler peaks mean less cooling stress, but watch humidity and ventilation.
Winters look harsher
Winter coldest month goes from 6C in December to -7C in January; freezing months go from 0 months to 5 months. The winter measures point to a colder season; check local heating and winter-maintenance needs.
Tools for both places
Moving from Seattle to Calgary, answered
What is the biggest climate change from Seattle to Calgary?
Freezing months go from 0 months to 5 months. That is the largest shift in the 30-year climate record.
How are these numbers computed?
From official 30-year climate normals at the nearest station to each place: Seattle Boeing Fld near Seattle and Calgary Intl Airport near Calgary. They are planning averages, not forecasts; local microclimates can run a week or two off the station record.
Does the comparison work in reverse?
Yes. Open the comparison tool and swap the two places; the deltas reverse direction but the match score stays the same.
Method and sources
Temperatures and frost dates are from the 30-year climate normals at Seattle Boeing Fld (near Seattle, WA) and Calgary Intl Airport (near Calgary, AB). Canadian data is from Environment and Climate Change Canada; United States data is from NOAA NCEI. These are planning averages, not forecasts. See themethodology page for the full calculation.