A friend of ours married a girl from the mainland who says; The only thing she dislikes about Newfoundland weather is the amount of complaining Newfoundlanders do about the weather!” Like us, she believes Newfoundland & Labrador has the most spectacular environment on the planet, and together we marvel at the many misconceptions about the climatic conditions and what it’s residents are forced to “endure”.

Here are some thoughts;

There is no denying the fact that we get weather in Newfoundland. The island is located on the very edge of the North Atlantic at the exact point where two of the world’s most extremely polarized ocean currents converge  – the frigid waters of the Labrador Current and the tepid flow of the Gulf Stream. The resulting collusion of energy can generate violent weather swings and the resulting glory of sun, wind, clouds, precipitation, and the diffusion of light it creates.

Unfortunately, we have been programmed to only associate “good” weather with sunshine and sandy beaches. That may be fine for lounging at the poolside with fancy cocktails, but an active participant will come to appreciate the many facets of Newfoundland & Labrador; a cool breeze on a strenuous mountain hike, the added dimension clouds bring to photo opportunities, and the dust free trails we ride in a gentle rain.

Spontaneity is therefore a desirable quality for anyone hoping to gain a better appreciation for weather in Newfoundland & Labrador. Thankfully, we have a wide array of attractions and activities which are ideally suited to almost any conditions. Though you might have planned a whale watching excursion or a day of cod jigging, its best to wait for the wind to die out and instead choose a seaside picnic, kite sailing, or a berry picking excursion.

It’s also important to recognize that Newfoundland & Labrador is an enormous country that exhibits several distinct climatic regions; within which several smaller anomalies exist. A North East wind might envelope the City of St. John’s in fog, but it assures the ardent naturalist that this  “off shore” breeze in Cape St. Mary’s promises perfect viewing opportunities for the millions of nesting gannets in their internationally recognized bird sanctuary.

Finally, guests, residents, and for that matter, Canadians, should be aware that the only weather conditions Newfoundland & Labrador broadcast to the international community, are collected at Torbay Airport. Though the airfield is located within St. John’s city limits, the site was selected because of its proximity to shipping routes and U-boat surveillance during WW2 – Not for visibility. The area is renowned for its fog and daily temperatures that can be as much as 8 to 10 degrees colder than those recorded in the nearby burrows of Waterford Valley, Kilbride and Mount Pearl. Talk about “Fake News”

Of course, the most important thing to remember is our Mother’s favorite adage; “Newfoundland & Labrador has the best weather on the planet – so long as you really love weather!”