Last updated: January 18, 2025
Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, is characterized by a Dfb (Warm Summer Continental) and Dfc (Subarctic) climate, exhibiting a diverse temperature range throughout the year. In January, temperatures plummet to a frigid minimum of -40°C (-40°F), showcasing the harshness of winter. Conversely, the summer months bring a maximum temperature of 32°C (91°F) in July, highlighting the stark contrast between seasons. The average annual temperature hovers around 5°C (41°F), reflecting the region's unique climate dynamics and its compelling influence on local ecosystems and weather patterns.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada, temperature patterns exhibit a pronounced seasonal variation, characterized by frigid winters and warm summers. January and February bring the coldest conditions, with minimum temperatures reaching as low as -40°C (-40°F) and -38°C (-36°F), while average temperatures linger around -4°C (24°F) and -6°C (22°F), respectively. As spring approaches, March and April witness a gradual warming, with temperatures beginning to rise, peaking at 21°C (71°F) in April. The transition to summer is marked by June and July, where maximum temperatures soar to 32°C (90°F) and 32°C (91°F), embodying the season's warmth. Throughout August, the temperatures remain elevated before a notable decline in September, as cooler air begins to settle in. By fall, the descent into winter resumes with October and November seeing daily averages dip back into the low single digits. This distinct climatic rhythm underscores Newfoundland and Labrador’s unique weather patterns, where extreme freezes contrast sharply with summer warmth.
In St. John's, temperatures range from a chilly minimum of -16°C (3°F) in February to a warm maximum of 27°C (80°F) in August, as detailed in the monthly temperatures in St. John's. Similarly, Bonavista experiences a low of -15°C (5°F) in February and a high of 24°C (75°F) in August, as noted in the monthly temperatures in Bonavista. Fogo Island sees slightly colder extremes with a minimum of -17°C (1°F) in February and a maximum of 22°C (72°F) in August, referenced in the monthly temperatures in Fogo Island.
Newfoundland and Labrador experiences a diverse precipitation pattern throughout the year, with notable increases during the late fall and winter months. January and February see relatively high precipitation levels of 98 mm (3.9 in) and 104 mm (4.1 in), respectively, while March and April mark a peak in rainfall, reaching 111 mm (4.4 in) and 118 mm (4.6 in). Although May experiences a slight dip to 96 mm (3.8 in), precipitation remains consistent in June with 101 mm (4.0 in). The early summer months maintain similar rainfall levels, indicating a well-distributed wet season.
As the year progresses into the autumn months, September and October witness a resurgence in precipitation, with 117 mm (4.6 in) and 112 mm (4.4 in) recorded. November marks the highest precipitation of the year with 130 mm (5.1 in), followed closely by December at 138 mm (5.4 in), reflecting the shifting weather patterns as winter approaches. Throughout the year, the frequency of rainy days varies, peaking in November with 15 days, indicating that the region's moisture is concentrated in the later months, contributing to its overall lush landscape.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, sunshine duration experiences a clear seasonal trend, with a remarkable increase from winter to summer. Beginning the year with a modest 84 hours of sunshine in January, the region sees a gradual rise through February, which offers 133 hours. As spring unfolds, March and April witness significant gains, reaching 202 hours and 213 hours, respectively. The transition into summer heralds a peak period for sunshine, with May, June, July, and August experiencing impressive totals of 257 hours, 270 hours, 301 hours, and 302 hours. This summer solstice not only highlights the allure of the season but also demonstrates the stark contrast to the dreary winter months.
As the days shorten in the fall, the pattern shifts once again, with September still enjoying 236 hours of sunshine before entering October with a decrease to 182 hours. The descent continues into November and December, with only 123 hours and 93 hours respectively, marking the return of longer nights and reduced daylight. This seasonal rhythm reflects the broader climatic influences on the region, illustrating how the long summer days provide an opportunity for outdoor activities and ecological flourishing, while the winter months bring a quieter, introspective period characterized by limited sunshine.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the UV Index exhibits distinct seasonal variations, reflecting the changing sun exposure levels throughout the year. Starting with a low UV Index of 2 in January, residents experience minimal risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, allowing for 45 minutes of safe sun time. As the months progress into February and March, the UV Index rises to 3 and 5, indicating a moderate risk and requiring increased caution, with a burn time of 30 minutes. This upward trend culminates in the spring with April and May averaging a very high UV Index of 8 and 9, necessitating careful protection within just 15 minutes of sun exposure.
The peak UV Index occurs in June, reaching its highest value of 10, indicating a critical need for sun safety measures during the summer months. The UV Index gradually declines in July and August but remains very high at 9 and 8, respectively. As autumn approaches, the risk lessens slightly, with September showing a high UV Index of 7 and a burn time of 25 minutes. By October and November, the Index returns to moderate levels of 4 and 3, before tapering back down to a low risk in December at 2. This cyclical pattern underscores the importance of sun protection strategies during the peak summer months, while allowing for more relaxed precautions during the winter season.
UV Risk Categories
In Newfoundland and Labrador, daylight duration demonstrates a dynamic seasonal pattern that strongly influences the local lifestyle and environment. Beginning January at just 8 hours of daylight, the region gradually emerges from the depths of winter. February sees an increase to 10 hours, followed by March with 11 hours. The real transformation occurs in April, where daylight extends to 13 hours, and by May, residents enjoy up to 15 hours of sunshine. June marks the zenith of daylight, reaching a notable 16 hours, allowing for extended outdoor activities and vibrant ecological interactions.
As summer transitions into autumn, the duration of daylight begins a gradual decline, with July still maintaining 15 hours, followed by August with 14 hours. September offers 12 hours, signaling the onset of shorter days. In October, daylight reduces to 10 hours, and the decline continues through November with 9 hours, ultimately returning to 8 hours by December. This cyclical change in daylight duration not only reflects the region's geographical position but also highlights the importance of seasonal adaptations in both human activities and natural ecosystems.
Bonavista, Canada experiences a cold maritime climate with significant seasonal variation in temperature. The coldest months, January and February, see average lows around -2°C (29°F) and -3°C (26°F), while summer months like July and August enjoy milder conditions with averages of 13°C (55°F) and 16°C (61°F), respectively. Precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, peaking in April at 128 mm (5.1 in), and averaging around 97-103 mm (3.8-4.1 in) in winter. Sunshine hours are most abundant in July, with 319 hours, offering a stark contrast to the short, sunlit days of winter. For more detailed information, visit Bonavista climate.
Fogo Island, Canada experiences a variable climate with cold winters and mild summers. January temperatures range from -11°C to 8°C, while July sees averages between 5°C and 21°C. Precipitation is highest in late fall and early spring, peaking at 132 mm in December, with July being the driest month at 74 mm. Sunshine hours reach a maximum in July with 346 hours, providing a stark contrast to the winter months, where January has just 75 hours. For more details, visit Fogo Island climate.
St. John's, Canada, experiences a continental climate with cold winters and moderately warm summers. January and February are the coldest months, averaging around -3°C (26°F) with significant precipitation, while July and August feature milder temperatures, reaching up to 27°C (80°F) and 306 hours of sunshine. Precipitation is fairly consistent throughout the year, peaking in December with 133 mm (5.3 in). The city sees the most sunshine during late summer, creating a pleasant atmosphere for outdoor activities. For more detailed information, visit St. John's climate.
In conclusion, Newfoundland and Labrador's climate embodies a unique interplay of temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight variability throughout the year. The stark seasonal contrasts, from the bitter cold and limited daylight of winter to the warmth and extended hours of summer, shape the region's environmental dynamics and influence the lifestyles of its inhabitants. The insights gained from studying these climatic factors underscore the importance of adapting to the seasonal variations, especially regarding health and safety during periods of high UV exposure and the critical management of outdoor activities. As climate patterns continue to evolve, understanding these trends is essential for fostering resilience in both natural ecosystems and human communities.