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Timmins has a continental climate somewhat modified by small bodies of water. In July and August the temperatures may average about 22 degrees Centigrade with beautiful days when the temperature reaches into the 30s. The days are most often sunny and rainfall is usually moderate. Summers without rainfall, however, mean the threat of forest fires. The Ministry of Natural Resources in Timmins has fire-crews always on the ready if needed.
Summers for many residents mean days spent at a local lake, park or cottage. Fishing and boating are favourite pastimes on the dozens of lakes within a short drive of Timmins. Summer days canoeing or kayaking on a lake with no one else around are opportunities which few communities in the south can offer.
Spring and Fall are often characterized by cool days and nights. These in-between seasons can be enjoyable if you are bundled up with a sweater and wear warm shoes. It is an ideal time to bike or walk on the many trails Timmins has to offer. A fall bike ride through Kettle Lakes Provincial Park on a clear crisp day is a great way to experience the changing season.
Winters are cold and crisp. The lakes freeze over in mid December and will not open again until late April or early May. This time of the year that many residents and visitors enjoy the most. Although it can be cold, everyone dresses accordingly and a day spent on the cross-country trail, downhill skiing or just out walking are hard to beat.
On really cold mornings it is not unusual to see sun dogs. Named after firedogs found on either side of a fireplace, sundogs are brilliant rainbows visible on either side of the rising sun. On rare occasions, one can see brilliant sundogs such as in the above photo. They are part of a complete semicircle of a rainbow enclosing the rising sun. Sundogs are caused by the refraction of light through ice crystals in the air.
Although Timmins is on a parallel with Vancouver, we have greater swings in temperatures. In the minds of many this makes for more variety in the outdoor opportunities that present themselves close to home. Timmins does not close down in winter. It brings new outdoor opportunities for visitors and residents alike. Cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, downhill skiing, and sometimes even ice skating across frozen lakes is available. This is the country which produced many of Canada's best hockey players, downhill skiers, cross-country skiers and figure skaters.
To top it off, the South Porcupine Winter Carnival adds to the enjoyment of the cold season.
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