Moncton Weather: Temperature Check

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, has a mostly maritime climate, typical of cities in the Maritime Provinces. However, the climate demonstrates strong seasonal continental influences. Winters are cold and snowy, with temperatures ranging from -25°C to just below freezing. The coldest month is January, with an average low of -8°C. Summers are comfortable, with the hottest month, July, averaging a high of 26°C. The temperature rarely exceeds 35°C. Moncton experiences a lot of rain, even in its driest month, with an average annual precipitation of 1150mm.

Moncton's annual average temperature (6.2 °C)

Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada, has an annual average temperature of 6.2 °C (43.1 °F). The climate in Moncton is mostly maritime, which is typical of cities in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. However, the climate demonstrates strong seasonal continental influences. During the summer and winter, the climate leans more towards continental, while maritime influences tend to temper the transitional seasons of spring and autumn.

Summers in Moncton are comfortable, with a daily high of around 25 °C (77 °F) and occasional hotter days. The warmest month of the year is July, with an average high of 26 °C (76 °F) and a low of 14 °C (58 °F). The warm season lasts for about 3.4 months, from the beginning of June to mid-September.

Winters in Moncton are freezing and snowy, with daytime high temperatures usually just below freezing. The coldest month is January, with an average low of -12 °C (10 °F) and a high of -2 °C (26 °F). The cold season lasts for about 3.4 months, from early December to mid-March.

Spring in Moncton can be delayed due to the sea ice in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence, which takes time to melt and cools the prevailing onshore winds. Autumn is influenced by the retention of heat in the Gulf, and daytime temperatures remain mild until mid-October. The stormiest weather of the year usually occurs during the fall-winter transition, with high precipitation and strong winds.

Throughout the year, Moncton experiences a lot of rainfall, even in its driest month. The precipitation varies between 2.91 and 4.89 inches per month, with an average of 3.89 inches annually. The month with the most rainy days is May, while September has the fewest.

The hottest and coldest months (July and January)

Moncton, New Brunswick, has a varied climate, with comfortable summers and freezing, snowy winters. The hottest month of the year in Moncton is July, with an average high of 76°F and a low of 58°F. The summer months are also the clearest, with September being the clearest month, on average.

The coldest month is January, with an average low of 10°F and a high of 26°F. The chilliest winter nights can see temperatures drop to the minus twenties °C (below -3°F). This happens on average 14 nights a year, mostly in January and February. Temperatures of less than -30°C (-22°F) are rare, occurring once every five years.

The winter in Moncton is long, with the cold season lasting 3.4 months, from December 3 to March 15. During this time, it can remain below freezing all day. Moncton typically has 70 days a year when the temperature never rises above 0°C. The snow season is slightly shorter, lasting 6.1 months, from October 29 to May 2. January is the snowiest month, with an average of 16.2 inches of snowfall.

Seasonal variation in precipitation

Moncton, New Brunswick, experiences seasonal variation in precipitation throughout the year. The climate of Moncton is primarily maritime, but it also exhibits strong seasonal continental influences. While the city is less than 50 kilometres from the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait, the climate can lean more continental during the summer and winter. The transitional seasons of spring and autumn are tempered by maritime influences.

During the winter, Moncton experiences cold temperatures, but days are usually sunny, with daytime highs just below freezing. Several cold snaps occur each year, with temperatures plummeting between −15°C and −25°C. "January thaws" happen once or twice a year, causing significant snowmelt. Nor'easter ocean storms can bring substantial snowfall, with major snowfalls averaging 20-30 centimetres. These storms can also lead to large amounts of precipitation as they pick up moisture from the Atlantic Ocean.

Spring in Moncton is often delayed due to the time needed for the sea ice in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence to melt, which has been reducing over the last decade, possibly due to global warming. By mid-March, temperatures typically rise above freezing, and trees are in full leaf by the end of May.

Summers in Moncton are warm, occasionally hot, and humid, with daytime highs averaging around 25°C but sometimes exceeding 30°C. Rainfall during summer is generally modest, especially in late July and August, leading to occasional droughts.

Autumn temperatures remain mild until mid-October due to the heat retention of the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence. The first snowfalls typically occur in mid-November, and consistent snow cover is usually established by mid-to-late December.

The transition period between fall and winter, from mid-December to mid-January, experiences the stormiest weather of the year, with the highest precipitation levels and strongest winds.

Overall, Moncton has a cold and temperate climate, with precipitation occurring throughout the year. The average annual temperature is 6.2°C, and the average annual precipitation is approximately 1150 mm. The driest month is August, with 81 mm of precipitation on average, while December is the wettest month, receiving an average of 117 mm.

Sunshine hours in Moncton

The climate of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada is mostly maritime, typical of most cities in the Maritime Provinces. However, the climate demonstrates strong seasonal continental influences. During the summer and winter, the climate is more continental, whereas maritime influences tend to temper the seasons of spring and autumn.

Winter days in Moncton are cold but generally sunny, with solar radiation providing some warmth. Daytime high temperatures are usually just below freezing. The clearest month of the year in Moncton is September, when the sky is clear or mostly clear 57% of the time. On average, the sunniest month is July, with 256 hours of sunshine. The total annual amount of sunshine is 2000 hours.

The warmer season in Moncton lasts for 3.4 months, from June 3 to September 17, with an average daily high temperature above 67°F. July is the hottest month, with an average high of 76°F and a low of 58°F.

Spring is often delayed due to the sea ice in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence, which cools the prevailing winds. Daytime temperatures above freezing are typical by mid-March, and trees are usually in full leaf by the end of May.

Summers are warm, with occasional hot and humid days. Daytime highs average around 77°F but can exceed 86°F on occasion.

Autumn is influenced by the retention of heat in the nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence, and daytime temperatures remain mild until mid-October.

The effect of nearby water bodies on Moncton's climate

The climate of Moncton, New Brunswick, is primarily maritime, which is typical of cities in the Maritime Provinces of Canada. However, the climate demonstrates strong seasonal continental influences. Despite being less than 50 km (31 mi) from the Bay of Fundy and the Northumberland Strait, Moncton's climate can seem more continental than maritime during the summer and winter. In contrast, maritime influences temper the transitional seasons of spring and autumn.

The moderating effect of nearby water bodies on Moncton's climate is evident in the more moderate temperatures experienced in the city compared to other regions at similar latitudes. Water heats and cools more slowly than land due to its higher specific heat capacity. As a result, coastal regions generally have cooler summers and milder winters, creating a more temperate climate with a narrower temperature range.

In Moncton, winters are cold but sunny, with daytime high temperatures just below freezing. The nearby Gulf of St. Lawrence influences the climate during this season, as it retains heat and delays the onset of freezing temperatures. Several cold snaps typically occur each winter, with temperatures dropping as low as -25°C (-13°F). "January thaws" also happen once or twice a year, causing considerable snowmelt.

Spring in Moncton is often delayed due to the sea ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which cools the prevailing onshore winds. However, the ice burden in the gulf has decreased over the years, possibly due to global warming, resulting in a weaker springtime cooling effect. By mid-March, temperatures usually rise above freezing, and trees are in full leaf by the end of May.

Summers in Moncton are warm, with daytime highs averaging 25°C (77°F) and occasionally reaching over 30°C (86°F). The seasonal prevailing westerly winds contribute to the humidity during this season. While rainfall is generally modest, droughts are not uncommon, particularly in late July and August.

Autumn in Moncton is also influenced by the nearby water bodies, as the Gulf of St. Lawrence retains heat, keeping daytime temperatures mild until mid-October. The first snowfalls usually occur in mid-November, and consistent snow cover typically arrives in mid-to-late December.

In summary, the nearby water bodies, including the Bay of Fundy, the Northumberland Strait, and the Gulf of St. Lawrence, play a significant role in tempering the transitional seasons of spring and autumn in Moncton. They contribute to milder winters and cooler summers compared to more inland regions, creating a more moderate climate overall.

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