Calgary

Climate

Climate	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Daily highs °C	-3	0	4	11	16	20	23	23	18	12	3	-1
Nightly lows °C	-15	-12	-8	-2	3	7	9	9	4	-1	-9	-13
Precipitation mm	12	9	17	24	60	80	68	59	46	14	12	12
See the Calgary 7 day forecast at Environment Canada

Calgary is sunny and rather dry, with wide seasonal and daily temperature ranges. Summers tend to be sunny and mild, averaging highs of about 23°C 73°F in July/August, usually accompanied by short afternoon storms - June being typically the wettest month. Hot weather greater than 30°C / 86°F is rare, occuring on average five times a year. Also temperatures typically drop dramatically during rain days as well there's always a couple days in the summer months that barely manage highs over 10°C (50°F).

Winter can also vary quite a bit. Temperatures can get extremely cold below -20°C / -4°F at times between November and March, while -30°C -22°F is possible on average five times a year. Though average highs in January are about -2°C 28°F based on a current 30-year average, there's nothing average with Calgary's weather. Because of the regular but unpredictable Chinooks warm Pacific winds, there's no guarantee of when the cold weather strikes - one of coldest months in the last ten years has been a March about -6°C / 21°F for average high, while a January has recorded one of the mildest +6°C / 43°F average high. Temperatures can swell into the 15°C 59°F range one day, and dip back into the sub-zero sub 32°F temperatures several days later. A typical Chinook rolls in fast and windy, and the effects will usually linger for several days to more than a week.

Regardless of the time of year, temperatures usually drop quickly at night. Lows in summer hover around 8c, while in winter they average about -13c. Because of the elevation, proximity to the mountains, and dramatic temperature drops, seeing some snow falling as late as June, and as early as September is a regular occurrence - but this usually results in a "trace" of snow on the ground at most.

As mentioned, having a variety of clothes is essential at all times in the year. Packing shorts and sandals to light, windproof jacket or fleece from mid-May to mid-October, and everything from T-shirts to fleece/ski jackets, gloves, scarves from mid-Oct to mid-May works best. There's not typically a lot of snow on the ground since Calgary is located in a very dry region of North America and the regular Chinooks melt any snow, so heavy boots aren't typically needed. The close-by Rockies are typically cooler year-round, so plan accordingly for any day-trips.

History

Calgary was founded by the Northwest Mounted Police in 1876 and was originally called Fort Briseboise and later changed to Fort Calgary. It was founded in response to a surge of whiskey traders who traded for furs from the natives. In 1883, the first rail station was built and Calgary started to grow in every direction and became a agricultural and business hub. In 1894, it was renamed the City of Calgary. By 1902, oil was discovered, though it didn't mean much until 1947. After, during the fifties, oil became big in Calgary and major companies started heading to Calgary and opening offices. The boom extended into the next twenty years bringing the city to 720,000 people in the metro area by 1985. The relatively low-key low-rise downtown became filled with a sea of skyscrapers, starting with the Calgary Tower and some sixties towers. By the 80s, Calgary's luck turned, and a drop in oil prices sent the Calgary metro economy downward. High unemployment raged, vacancies became a reality,and growth was slow or even negative in some years. In 1988, Calgary held the Winter Olympics and brought world attention to Calgary. By the 1990s, it was on the rebound and began growing again. Calgary today has become a more cosmopolitan city of over one million inhabitants with genuine attempts to diversify its economy and expand its attractiveness to outside visitors.

Road development

Calgary is divided into four quadrants: Northeast NE, Northwest NW, Southeast SE and Southwest SW. The dividing line between east and west is Centre Street in the north, and roughly Macleod Trail in the south. The dividing line between north and south is generally the Bow River in the west, and Centre Avenue and Memorial Drive from 36 Street in the east. Addresses proceed outwards from the center of the city; for example, 219 16th Avenue NE is on 16th Avenue N, between 1st and 2nd Street E.

Deerfoot Trail Highway 2 running north-south is one of two freeways in Calgary, the other being Stoney Trail which presently runs in an elongated horseshoe across the northwest, north and eastern sides of the city with plans for it to eventually be a complete ring road. Certain other roads have sections that alternate between being a true freeway and an at-grade expressway, with plans to become full freeways. Other major roads in the city are often given the street suffix Trail, such as Glenmore Trail, Crowchild Trail and Bow Trail; many of these roads are expressways for most or all of their length. Roads with the suffixes Boulevard or Drive are generally the next most major classification. Roads with the suffix Avenue run east-west, and roads with the suffix Street run north-south. Note that the names of small suburban roads usually incorporate the community name; this means that Taralake Garden, Taralea Place, Taralea Mews, Taralea Court, Taralean Grove, Taralea Avenue, Taralea Road, Taralea Blvd, Taralea Heath, and Taralea Green are all separate roads, all in the same community - Taradale. It can be very confusing for tourists and locals alike to navigate an area where the only differences in street names are the abbreviations. If travelling in the suburban communities, have a map or directions and pay attention to exact name.

Calgary has a fairly dense downtown, ringed by inner city neighborhoods laid out on a grid pattern for roughly 30-40 blocks. These inner city districts often have unique characteristics and are worth wandering through, for the visitor with some time to spend in the city. The outer suburbs are a typical sprawl of uniform housing and, except for major shopping, parks and other facilities scattered around, have little interest for the typical visitor.

Neighbourhoods of interest

The Beltline and 17th Avenue: 17th Avenue S.W. is Calgary's premiere place to see and be seen. It boasts a large and eclectic variety of restaurants, unique shops, boutiques, and bars. This street is where Calgary parties, most notably becoming the "Red Mile" during the 2004 Stanley Cup hockey playoffs, where up to 100,000 cheering fans gathered to celebrate victories by the hometown Flames the nickname has remained. While the entirety of the Beltline spans from the Stampede Grounds and Victoria Park on the east to Mount Royal on the west, the dense nightlife on 17th Avenue starts at about 2nd Street SW and goes to 15th Street SW.

Mission: In many ways, Mission acts as an extension of 17th Avenue. Like the Beltline, it is packed full of interesting restaurants and shops. It does not share 17th Avenue's "late night" reputation, however and it generally lacks the bars and nightclubs. It runs along 4th Street SW from 17th Avenue to 26th Avenue.

Forest Lawn International Avenue (http://www.internationala...). Forest Lawn is known for its diverse culture, with the city's best Vietnamese, Lebanese, and Central American eateries lining 17th Avenue S.E. The nightlife of this area is a place to exercise caution. There are many pawn shops that line the streets, if you're looking for a deal.

Kensington (http://www.visitkensingto...). Kensington is located along the Bow River on the north side of downtown. It is another one of Calgary's notable shopping neighbourhoods, with a somewhat more bohemian feel than 17th Avenue one particular store specializes Birkenstocks and Futons. It offers a good variety of restaurants, with more of an emphasis on coffee shops than on bars. Kensington runs along Kensington Road NW from 14th St NW to 10th St NW, and also north along 10th St NW to 5 Ave NW.

Inglewood: Inglewood is Calgary's oldest neighbourhood and the site of the city's original downtown. It is also one of Calgary's most culturally influenced and eclectic areas. Inglewood contains everything from stores targeted at bikers, to unique boutiques, antique stores, galleries, and restaurants. It is not as developed as some of the city's downtown districts, but it is quickly becoming one of the city's most popular "urban chic" neighbourhoods. It lies immediately east of downtown east of 1st Street E and is concentrated along 9th Avenue SE. Just to the north is the Bow River and the world-famous Calgary Zoo.

Bridgeland Edmonton Trail on the west, The Campbell Hill on the east, Bridge Crescent NE on the north, and the river/Memorial/Zoo on the south is a urban revitalization area northeast of the downtown. Although the community has been a destination for years as Calgary's "Little Italy" hence the abundance of Italian restaurants in the area, the demolition of the old General Hospital in 1998 sparked a long-term project redevelop much of the era. The area is expected to be a family orientated Pearl District see Portland Oregon and the initial phases are already done. The area includes posh shops, chic apartments, beautiful lofts, while maintaining the old charm of the distinct houses. Eventually the neighbourhood will have more shops, and some high rise buildings. It is a great area to walk through for those interested in architecture/planning. The far eastern end of Bridgeland connects with the Calgary Zoo and the newly opened Telus Spark science centre.

Marda Loop/Garrison Green east of Crowchild Trail along 33rd Avenue SW, which contains a large number of quaint shops, restaurants, and services and is a real up and comer area and would be a great place to check out. Marda Loop, centered on the intersection of 33rd Avenue and 20th Street S.W., is the older of the two areas and in mid-August hosts the Marda Gras Street Festival along 33 Avenue between 19 St. and 23 St. S.W. Garrison Green is a newly developed residential/shopping district immediately to the south of 32 Avenue that features its own mix of eclectic shops and old-towne storefronts.

Parkhill is a neighbourhood south of downtown. It is a quite wealthy area that was once home to many old homes. Today it is home to a range of modern designs, with few old homes still standing. It's a very interesting neighbourhood to go to.

Mount Royal is a neighbourhood south of the Downtown with charming old homes, that doesn't conform to the old street grid that was used back then. The area houses some of Calgary's elite. It is a nice area to do a quiet nice stroll through, admiring old residential. Driving around the community can be challenging due to the preponderance of "traffic calming" and street closures to prevent cut-through traffic.

McKenzie Towne is located on the southeastern outskirts of Calgary accessible via Deerfoot Trail and McKenzie Towne Boulevard. An exception to the "dull suburb" stereotype, this planned community features parks and classical home facades that come right out of a Norman Rockwell painting. Anchoring the area is High Street, a shopping centre disguised as a classic small-town main street. Worth checking out if you've rented a car to visit Spruce Meadows.