Banffs meteorological winter has been driest on record, Environment Canada says [Video]

While there’s still two months left on the astronomical calendar before the official start of start of spring, information from Environment and Climate Change Canada shows Banff has just experienced it’s driest meteorological winter on record.

Global Calgary meteorologist Tiffany Lizee said in southern Alberta, meteorological winter typically runs from Dec. 1 until Feb. 28.

“Meteorologists study the seasons based on temperature patterns, so the three coldest months of the year — December, January, and February — are defined as our meteorological winter,” said Lizee.

“Astronomical seasons are based on the Earth’s position relative to the Sun, marking the winter solstice in mid-December as the beginning of winter and the spring equinox in mid-March as the end, added Lizee.”

According to Environment Canada, the meteorological winter of 2024-25 saw just 15.8 mm of precipitation fall in Banff, compared to a normal amount of 59.9 mm.

That’s just 26 per cent of a normal year — making it the driest on record …