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Best Time for the Icefields Parkway
Sweet spot: April, May, July — computed from NASA POWER climate normals across the route's overnight towns, balancing temperature, rainfall and daylight.
Winter tires mandatory; the Parkway can close in storms — no fuel between Lake Louise and Jasper.
Wildlife jams at dawn and dusk — drive early, watch for bears and elk on the shoulders.
| Month | Temp | Rain | Daylight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -38.6–4.2°C | 60 mm | 8.0 h | ❄ |
| February | -37.1–1.1°C | 48 mm | 9.6 h | ❄ |
| March | -40.7–5.3°C | 74 mm | 11.5 h | ❄ |
| April | -27.2–12.1°C | 63 mm | 13.6 h | ❄ |
| May | -15.4–20.4°C | 78 mm | 15.5 h | ❄ |
| June | -5.0–24.9°C | 112 mm | 16.5 h | ❄ |
| July | -2.7–26.1°C | 86 mm | 16.0 h | ❄ |
| August | -3.7–25.2°C | 68 mm | 14.4 h | ❄ |
| September | -9.9–23.4°C | 72 mm | 12.4 h | ❄ |
| October | -27.2–18.5°C | 74 mm | 10.4 h | ❄ |
| November | -38.7–4.6°C | 75 mm | 8.5 h | ❄ |
| December | -39.7–1.7°C | 56 mm | 7.6 h | ❄ |