Summer 2025 concluded in Calgary, characterized by a wet start and an extended period of warm and dry weather towards the end. Environment Canada records revealed that September marked the hottest month ever experienced in the city, with summer-like temperatures persisting throughout. This September also stood out as the driest in almost 150 years, with only 0.4 millimetres of precipitation recorded, the lowest amount since 1885.
Notably, the lack of precipitation over the entire month, and a significant portion of August, was described as highly unusual by weather expert Kyle Brittain, who highlighted that only 6.6 millimetres of rain fell since August 9. In stark contrast, July was exceptionally wet, ranking as the third rainiest July on record in Calgary with 168 millimetres of rainfall.
The weather in western Canada was described by Brittain as “weather whiplash.” July witnessed extreme weather events, including a hailstorm on July 13, which caused widespread damage amounting to $164 million, making it the costliest hailstorm of the season. Furthermore, the skies were notably clearer compared to recent summers, with only 110 smoke hours recorded from May to September, a significant drop from the 512 hours logged in 2023.
Despite the weather fluctuations, summer activities in Calgary remained popular. The Calgary Stampede almost broke attendance records despite some rainy days in July. Similarly, Calaway Park reported a successful year, with a surge in season pass sales attributed to the rise in staycations influenced by economic factors and tensions with the U.S.
Heritage Park also experienced robust attendance, with a notable increase in tourists from various countries. The weather throughout the summer was diverse, but tourists continued to visit, undeterred by changing conditions. The harvest season proved fruitful for some crops, benefiting from the cold and rainy start. Farmers like James Johnson and Stephen Vandervalk welcomed the rain, which boosted crop yields, especially for canola.
Looking ahead, as fall transitions into winter, there are predictions of La Niña formation, suggesting colder temperatures and increased snowfall for Calgarians in the upcoming winter season.