Top 10 Snowiest Cities in Canada - Snowfall Average & Snow Days Stats
If you're lookin' for the white stuff, and by that I mean snow... These are your best bets! Jack Frost is a little late this year and had some of us wondering if we'd have a white Christmas after all. But not to fret, snow lovers – the white stuff is on its way! While we all know that the northern part of the country gets dumped on the most. Every part of Canada gets snow. Even the warmest Canadian cities still get between forty and sixty centimeters of snow each year. To get snow each year is just part of being Canadian. According to currentresults.com St. John's, Newfoundland and Saguenay, Quebec top the lists as Canada's snowiest large cities. St. John's ranks first for total amount of snow, while Saguenay has the most days with fresh snowfall. Saguenay also leads the country's cities for how long snow lingers on the ground. But at St John's, all that snow doesn't stick around for long. The city doesn't even make the top ten for most persistent snowpack.
Ten of Canada's large cities receive an average of over two metres (6.6 feet) of snow every year. These cities with the most snow are scattered throughout Central Canada and the Maritime Provinces.
10. London, Ontario
The south-western city of London, Ontario is one snow-blanketed city for several months of the year, but it's also becoming a booming tourist locale, with a budding arts scene as well as loads of festivals.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 79 in.
- Days of snowfall: 66
9. Montreal, Quebec
All that snow in Montreal doesn't slow down this hopping city – locals as well as visitors take advantage of all that white stuff by skating in the Old Port or on Beaver lake, playing shinny at a local outdoor rink, or just meandering down one of the many snow-covered downtown streets.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 86 in.
- Days of snowfall: 60
8. Halifax, Nova Scotia
It must be the ocean breeze that brings the snowstorms to this Nova Scotia city. Halifax is the largest city in Atlantic Canada, and next to St. John's, it's the one with the most snow.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 91 in.
- Days of snowfall: 60
7. Ottawa – Gatineau, (Ontario - Quebec)
Canada gets a lot of snow and the capital region is no exception. The average snowfalls rank them within the top 10 snowiest cities in Canada – it's no wonder they're popular for winter getaways, with the longest skating rink in the world and tons of seasonal festivities.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 93 in.
- Days of snowfall: 66
6. Barrie, Ontario
A cozy city nestled along Lake Simcoe, Barrie has been called one of the fastest growing cities in the country. It's also a regular stop for Jack Frost, with above-average snowfall.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 94 in.
- Days of snowfall: 46
5. Sudbury, Ontario
Sudbury, Ontario is known for two things: its booming mining industry and its massive amounts of snow. It should come as no surprise that it's also renowned for being a hockey tow
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 108 in.
- Days of snowfall: 78
4. Sherbrooke, Quebec
A southern Quebec city with lots of wintertime precipitation, Sherbrooke, which is also a big college town, is the fourth biggest municipality in the province – and fourth on the top 10 snowiest cities in Canada).
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 116 in.
- Days of snowfall: 79
3. Quebec City, Quebec
Steeped in history (and mounds of snow), Quebec City receives about 316cm of snow every winter. It's always been known as a snowy destination, which is probably its draw with tourists – it is one of the most visited cities in the province (after Montreal).
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 124 in.
- Days of snowfall: 76
2. St. John's, Newfoundland
This coastal town in Newfoundland/Labrador is considered to be the oldest English-settled town in North America. It's also one of the whitest from December till April, with the second-highest yearly average snowfall. This is also the windiest city in Canada.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 127 in.
- Days of snowfall: 84
1. Saguenay, Quebec
On the top of the list, is Saguenay, Quebec. The city is also known as the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean area of the province, Saguenay is located 200 miles west of the capital of Quebec City and gets the most snowfall of any big city in the country, with an average yearly snowfall of more than 11 feet.
Snow Stats:
- Average snowfall: 135 in.
- Days of snowfall: 96