This year’s Halloween forecast looks relatively mild, but extreme weather fluctuations over Halloween’s past haven’t stopped Calgarians from trick-or-treating.
Experiencing Halloween in Canada means you understand the uncertainty of never knowing what the weather will be.
Most kids decide on costumes far before the expected forecast, making it difficult to tailor outfits to the conditions.
However, a report showcasing 50 years of Halloween weather from Extreme Weather Watch details just how much the temperatures can fluctuate from year to year.
Dressing (up) for the weather
Laura Bond, a born and raised Calgarian, was excited to wear her Little Mermaid-inspired Ariel costume for Halloween in 1998.
” [Once] I had the snowsuit on underneath, boom, my mood was ruined,” said Bond.
According to the data, Oct. 31 1998 saw a low of -3.8 C. The lowest recorded temperature on Halloween in the last 50 years was in 1984, with a low of -25.7 C.
Jodi Jansen, a mother of four girls, said they always considered the weather when planning their kids’ costumes.
“We often made their costumes,” said Jansen. “We always assumed they would have to wear winter stuff so we’d make things a little larger so they could fit their costume over top.”
Weather might impact the look of the costume or the duration of time spent going door to door, but Jansen said it’s never prevented them from going out altogether.
According to the Facebook chat Ask Calgary, most trick-or-treaters start their nights between 5:30 and 6 p.m., with some staying out as late as 9:30 or 10 p.m.
“I do remember we had some super warm days where you didn’t have to wear anything to keep warm,” said Jansen.
Some parents may decide to go out earlier to take advantage of warmer temperatures.
Indoor alternatives
Sometimes it’s just too cold, or families decide to switch things up and experience Halloween indoors.
Many malls and shopping centres across the city offer indoor trick-or-treating experiences for kids and parents. Westbrook, Sunridge, Southcentre and Marlborough Mall are hosting trick-or-treating at participating retailers during various times throughout the afternoon on Oct. 31.
Click here to see a complete list of locations.
More frigid fright nights
Calgarian Chelsea McKitrick-Lee put it best.
“I used to pray to God as a child that it wouldn’t snow so I could wear my costume without a snowsuit underneath.”