Medicine Hat is an interesting destination in Alberta, Canada that has a great deal to offer travelers and locals alike. Known for its unique history and culture, Medicine Hat has numerous attractions, activities, and events for everyone to enjoy. As Alberta's sixth largest city with a population of just over 63,000, Medicine Hat is also home to a vibrant business community and vibrant arts and entertainment scene. Come explore the best that Medicine Hat has to offer and find out what makes this city so special.
Getting to Know Medicine Hat
Medicine Hat is a city located in southeastern Alberta, Canada. It is the sixth largest city in Alberta with a population of 62,140 as of 2018. It is the sunshine capital of Canada and enjoys more than 2,500 hours of sunshine a year.
Medicine Hat is located in the Mountain Standard Time Zone, which is two hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-7).
The official languages of Medicine Hat are English and French as set out by Alberta's Official Languages Act. The majority of the population is concentrated in English-speaking households.
The currency used in Medicine Hat is Canadian dollars.
Climate and Weather
The climate of Medicine Hat is classed as a semi-arid climate, or dry prairie. Summers in Medicine Hat are typically dry and hot, while winters are cold with light snow fall.
Summer temperatures in Medicine Hat vary between 16 and 25 degrees Celsius, and summertime lows generally remain above 10 degrees Celsius. In the winter, temperatures range between -8 and 5 degrees Celsius.
The city has low humidity levels and receives sunlight nearly year-round due to the semi-arid climate. This makes it a popular destination in Alberta for those seeking dry, warm weather in the summer months - due to the lack of other sources of precipitation the area is often sunny and dry during the summer months. On average Medicine Hat receives around 115 millimeters of precipitation annually, with no recorded snow fall during some months.
Overall, Medicine Hat generally has a favourable climate, lending itself well to outdoor activities for much of the year.
Touring Medicine Hat: Airport and Transportation
There are two airports in Medicine Hat, Alberta and their official names are Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) and the Coutts/Sweet Grass Border Airport (CUQ).
You can get from the Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH) to downtown Medicine Hat via taxi which typically costs around $20.
No, you cannot change money at Medicine Hat Regional Airport (YXH).
Exploring the Rich History and Culture of Medicine Hat
- Medicine Hat is home to the world’s oldest recognized medical services dating back to 1873 at the Medicine Hat Hospital
- The city is home to a rich history of First Nations culture as well as museums dedicated to cultural and historical collections related to its past
- Known as the Gas City, Medicine Hat hosts Canada’s largest natural gas reservoir underneath the city and gives the community a unique energy source