Climate Overview
The climate in Castlegar is cool. The average annual temperature is 5°C and approximately 1015mm of precipitation falls per year. March is the wettest month, receiving around 112mm of rainfall. Castlegar is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are December, January, February, when temperatures can drop to -9°C. Castlegar experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Castlegar vary considerably across the year, with a 34°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 25°C with a mean of 17°C. The coldest month is December, when overnight lows fall to -9°C and the daily average is -7°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between September and October, with a 8°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Castlegar is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1015mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 85mm per month. The wettest month is March, averaging 112mm of rainfall. October and January also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is August, with just 26mm. That's 86mm less than March, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the first half (January to June) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Castlegar receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 540cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 103cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Castlegar is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 1km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is August, averaging 1km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in December, with average winds dropping to 1km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 0km/h between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
92 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Castlegar, which began on June 21, 2026. Castlegar is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 25°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in December near -9°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 92 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -4 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 289mm for the season, averaging 96mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 7 to 25°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 161mm for the season, averaging 54mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -3 to 17°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 281mm for the season, averaging 94mm per month. Expect around 122cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -9 to -2°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 284mm for the season, averaging 95mm per month. Expect around 275cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 1km/h. Heavy layering and insulated outerwear are essential — exposed skin should be minimised outdoors.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Castlegar is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 38mm per month. By contrast, December can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -9°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Castlegar based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.