Sunshine

Sunshine is direct sunlight reaching the Earth's surface, producing visible light and radiant heat.

Sunshine is direct sunlight reaching Earth's surface, producing light and heat. In Canada, its duration varies widely by region and season.

What it is

Sunshine refers to the sun’s direct rays arriving at a surface — bringing visible light, ultraviolet, and infrared radiation. In meteorology, it’s usually discussed as the duration or amount of direct solar radiation received at a location. Cloud cover, latitude, season, and time of day all affect how much sunshine a place gets.

How it's measured

Meteorological records express sunshine as duration — daily, monthly, or annual hours of direct sun exposure. The measurement depends on cloud cover, atmospheric conditions, and the sun’s angle above the horizon. For example, some dry, clear regions receive over 4,000 hours per year, while stormy areas get less than 2,000.

Why it varies by location

Sunshine is much more abundant in dry, cloud-free climates than in stormy or overcast ones. In Canada, seasonal changes, latitude, cloud cover, and winter darkness create large regional differences. For instance, Winnipeg and Vancouver have very different annual sunshine totals due to their distinct weather patterns.