Alberta city known for its climate named one of the driest in Canada
It’s no secret that the weather in Alberta can be a bit dry, but one city in the south just made a list of the driest cities in Canada.
World Atlas, one of the largest publishing resources in geography, compiled a list of the 10 driest cities in Canada, and Lethbridge made the cut.
Located around two hours south of Calgary and one hour north of the U.S.-Canada border, Lethbridge is the southernmost city in Alberta.
According to World Atlas, “Lethbridge averages 14.7 inches (372.5 mm) of total precipitation per year in the 1991-2020 normals. Southern Alberta’s dryness reflects both distance from oceans and regional wind patterns. ”
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The city is named after William Lethbridge, who was the first president of the North Western Coal and Navigation Company, which was owned by Sir Alexander Galt, who often named streets and towns after people to entice investors.
Lethbridge has a very vast history with coal. In 1874 and 1882, coal mines opened and as the industry grew, so did the population. During the First World War, Lethbridge’s coal mining industry was producing more than 1,000,000 tons a year. But, as oil and gas became more prominent in the area, the coal industry started to die out, and the last local mine closed in 1957.
Lethbridge’s location helped secure its spot as one of the driest cities in Canada. “The Rocky Mountains influence precipitation patterns, but much Pacific moisture does not persist far into the southern Prairie region.”
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The list also mentions the Chinook winds that sweep through Alberta, which bring rapid warming and lower humidity to the region, leading to less snow and faster evaporation.
As for the summer months, rain is often seen in bursts rather than extended periods, which contributes to keeping annual precipitation levels relatively low over the long term.
Alberta dominated the list, claiming five of the 10 spots. Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer also made the cut.
You can view the full list online.