When considering your migration options, one thing to always consider is what the weather conditions will be like abroad. When talking about Canada specifically, the question always comes up about the cold in Canada. We are here to prove to you that life in Canada is not as cold as it’s made out to be!

Come rain or shine, it’s a natural thing to talk about the weather. Whether it’s dinner table conversation or idle chats, we never seem to miss the weather forecast – especially with the wide array of readily available weather apps.

But why are we so obsessed with the weather forecast? Well understandably, we are exposed to the weather conditions daily.  But what about the weather in Canada? Most are under the assumption that it is freezing cold 24/7. We have put that to the test!

Using Quora, we asked a few questions to Canadians and this is what they had to say:

How cold can it get in Canada?

Bill Boland said that the cities in western Canada can get cold spells. It's not uncommon to see periods of -30 to -40 Celsius in Winnipeg, for example.

How do Canadians deal with the winters?

“Canadians keep warm in winter by dressing appropriately. Winter boots, hat, gloves or mittens, scarf and coat are a must. For extreme cold, snow pants and face coverings (ski mask) may be worn. Cars are often equipped with engine block heaters, which use electricity to keep the oil pan warm. This helps the engine start more easily, especially when it drops below -20. Electric battery heaters are also used in some places, especially if the vehicle is outside and exposed to the elements,” answered Gary Puckering

“Good insulation for houses is important. Single pane glass is not common as the heat flies away too easily from it. Likewise, wearing layers of clothes helps. Long inner underwear of wool with several other layers including polar fleece, mitts and a heavy coat to block the wind,” another person commented.

Where are the best places to live if you are not used to very cold weather?

Gord Lawrence gave a few tips, “Few folks worldwide realize that the majority of Canadians live in the Windsor-Toronto corridor which is at about the same latitude as Boston and New York. Although we have a mid-continental climate it is heavily moderated by The Great Lakes often described as fresh water oceans. …and there are five of them!

“A very cold day in Toronto might approach 0 degrees Fahrenheit (-17 degrees Celsius) but they are very rare. No more than 2 or 3 days per year at most. Sometimes we have winters here with very little snow and only a few days where the temperature dips below freezing. Summer temperatures can and do reach 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37 degrees Celsius). Again because of the lakes it can be both hot and humid at the same time, not unlike Miami.

Another significant portion of Canadians live in Southern British Columbia, specifically Vancouver and its suburbs. This region is actually subtropical due to the effects of Pacific Ocean currents.”

Do migrants get used to the weather?

Anthony Boogerd said, “I assume you are coming from a region with a generally warmer year round climate. First thing I will assure you is that MOST of what you heard about Canada's frigid wasteland is not true.

Most of the big cities are along the southern edge of the country and have a varied climate. Mostly warm to HOT summers, and winters can be mild to pretty darn cold, BUT our buildings are well insulated, air conditioned for summer and heated for winter. If you are heading to Vancouver B.C. you will find long hot dry summers, short autumn, and very wet windy winters with little snow on the coast, spring comes early and is usually rainy as well.

I am a truck driver and travel all over North America, so I experience ALL the different weather conditions first hand. What you should know is this... we adapt, our bodies adjust quite quickly to changes in the conditions – especially when you are young. I'm not, and I do alright. So, fear not, get ready for the adventure of your life and WELCOME to CANADA!”

So, there you have it. Although it can get cold, it will most certainly not be frigid all the time. For the most part, you will adjust to it in no time.