Calgary

Hail. Calgary gets some of Canada's most damaging hailstorms. The June 2020 storm caused about $1.3 billion in insured losses, and the August 5, 2024 storm about C$3.25 billion (CatIQ's estimate), hitting northern Calgary and the airport; one early survey counted at least 35,000 damaged homes. There is no official hail map by community, so we do not rank neighbourhoods; two recent big storms crossing the north is not proof that other areas are safe. Ask about hail deductibles (often a percentage of the home's value), roof age and impact-resistant shingles, and what the condo or building's insurance covers.

Wildfire smoke. Environment Canada counts a smoke hour as an hour when smoke cuts visibility to 9.7 km or less. Calgary logged 512 between May and September 2023, a record, and about 200 in 2024, against a 1981–2010 average of 12 for the whole season. Smoke affects every community; a home with good air filtration or a heat pump helps. Check today's reading on the Air Quality Health Index.