Sturdy wooden houses combat Nova Scotia's harsh winters . Many residents still burn wood to heat their homes, and the weather can change rapidly. A heavy fog in the morning can turn into a hot, rainy, or cold day. The province enjoys four distinct seasons. Spring is a time for new growth and the arrival of Nova Scotia's provincial flower, the pink, sweetly fragrant Mayflower.
Summer is warm to hot like most of the upper east coast of North America.
Picnics and camping are major loves of Nova Scotians. Fall weather can be crisp in the morning, with a heavy white frost on everything, followed within hours by a warm day. The trees are breathtaking as the leaves turn to vibrant colors. Pumpkins with toothy smiles, some with candles in them, sit on front steps and lawns awaiting goblins and ghosts on Halloween. Winter brings snow and bitterly cold temperatures.