Moving from Phoenix to Calgary
A climate comparison of two homes: Arizona to Alberta. The dates below come from the nearest official weather station to each place.
Climate Match
Your growing season runs 237 days shorter, 354 days becomes 117 days.
Phoenix, AZ to Calgary, AB
The full comparison
| Measure | From | To | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost-free season | 354 days | 117 days | 237 days shorter |
| Last spring frost | January 8 | May 21 | 133 days later |
| Months below freezing | 0 months | 5 months | 5 more |
| Coldest month | 53F in December | 19F in January | 34F colder |
| Warmest month | 92F in July | 62F in July | 31F cooler |
Moving from Phoenix to Calgary reshapes the home year. Winters get 34F colder. Summers get 31F cooler. Your growing season is 237 days shorter. Plan on a new rhythm for the house and garden.
What changes about the house
- Heating: expect a longer or deeper heating season. Service the furnace or boiler before the first cold snap, and budget for higher heating bills.
- Garden: a shorter season favors transplants, short-season varieties, and cold frames. Wait for soil to warm before direct sowing.
- Snow and ice: more months below freezing mean roof load, ice dams, and driveway care become regular work. Keep a roof rake and ice melt on hand.
Season by season
Spring starts later
Your last spring frost moves from January 8 to May 21, 133 days later. Delay tender planting and spring openings.
Summers run cooler
The warmest month goes from 92F in July to 62F in July. Cooler peaks mean less cooling stress, but watch humidity and ventilation.
Winters turn milder
Winter coldest month goes from 53F in December to 19F in January; freezing months go from 0 months to 5 months. Budget for more heating, snow removal, and ice-dam prevention.
Tools for both places
Moving from Phoenix to Calgary, answered
What is the biggest climate change from Phoenix to Calgary?
Your growing season runs 237 days shorter, 354 days becomes 117 days. That is the largest shift in the 30-year climate record.
How are these numbers computed?
From official 30-year climate normals at the nearest station to each place: Phoenix Deer Valley Muni Ap near Phoenix and Calgary Intl Airport near Calgary. They are planning averages, not forecasts; local microclimates can run a week or two off the station record.
Does the comparison work in reverse?
Yes. Open the comparison tool and swap the two places; the deltas reverse direction but the match score stays the same.
Method and sources
Temperatures and frost dates are from the 30-year climate normals at Phoenix Deer Valley Muni Ap (near Phoenix, AZ) and Calgary Intl Airport (near Calgary, AB). Canadian data is from Environment and Climate Change Canada; United States data is from NOAA NCEI. These are planning averages, not forecasts. See the methodology page for the full calculation.