The Municipal District of Wainwright has a northern continental climate with extreme seasonal temperatures, although they are not quite as extreme as in Regina or Winnipeg. However, the MD of Wainwright still has one of the largest temperature ranges in Canada. The average variance ranges from -16°C in January to 23°C in July, although throughout the course of a year, temperatures may be as high as 35°C and as low as -43°C.

According to the Köppen climate classification, the Municipal District of Wainwright has a moist mid-latitude climate with cold winters. Summer typically lasts from late May into the early parts of September, while winter is in force from November through March. However, winters can vary greatly in length and severity from year to year.

The MD of Wainwright has somewhat dry winters and receives much less snow than many other North American areas, on average 123.5 cm (48.6 inches) per year. Even in the wettest month, July, the region receives only 101 mm (4.0 inches) of rain. The MD of Wainwright receives an average of 477 mm (18.8 inches) of precipitation annually.