Capital city in Ontario, Canada
Ottawa weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Ottawa
May–Sep for festivals and patios; late Sep–Oct for fall colours. Tulip Festival in May; Winterlude and the Rideau Canal skateway run Jan–Feb in deep cold.
Ottawa weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan-6°61 mm
- Feb-4°55 mm
- Mar2°64 mm
- Apr11°85 mm
- May19°85 mm
- Jun24°104 mm
- Jul26°98 mm
- Aug25°88 mm
- Sep22°87 mm
- Oct13°99 mm
- Nov5°73 mm
- Dec-2°80 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -6°C21°F | -16°C3°F | 61 mm | 95% | Freezing |
| February | -4°C24°F | -15°C5°F | 55 mm | 94% | Freezing |
| March | 2°C35°F | -8°C17°F | 64 mm | 87% | Freezing |
| April | 11°C52°F | 0°C31°F | 85 mm | 78% | Cool |
| May | 19°C66°F | 7°C45°F | 85 mm | 77% | Pleasant |
| June | 24°C74°F | 13°C55°F | 104 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
| July | 26°C79°F | 16°C60°F | 98 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
| August | 25°C78°F | 15°C58°F | 88 mm | 78% | Pleasant |
| September | 22°C71°F | 10°C51°F | 87 mm | 78% | Pleasant |
| October | 13°C56°F | 4°C39°F | 99 mm | 81% | Cool |
| November | 5°C42°F | -3°C27°F | 73 mm | 85% | Cold |
| December | -2°C28°F | -10°C13°F | 80 mm | 92% | Freezing |
Best months across Canada
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Toronto | May–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Vancouver | Jun–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Montreal | May–Sep | Jul (25°C) |
| Banff | Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep | Jul (21°C) |
| Niagara Falls | May–Sep | Jul (26°C) |
| Quebec City | Feb, Jun–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Whistler | Jul–Aug, Dec–Mar | Jul (22°C) |
| Ottawa | May–Sep | Jul (26°C) |
| Calgary | Jun–Sep | Jul (25°C) |
| Victoria | May–Sep | Aug (21°C) |
| Jasper | Jun–Sep | Jul (22°C) |
| Halifax | Jun–Sep | Aug (21°C) |
| Tofino | Jun–Sep, Nov–Dec | Aug (18°C) |
| Edmonton | Jun–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Kelowna | Jun–Sep | Jul (30°C) |
| Yellowknife | Feb–Mar, Sep | Jul (21°C) |
| Mont-Tremblant | Jan–Mar, Sep–Oct | Jul (24°C) |
| Prince Edward Island | Jun–Sep | Aug (22°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Ottawa?
May–Sep. May–Sep for festivals and patios; late Sep–Oct for fall colours. Tulip Festival in May; Winterlude and the Rideau Canal skateway run Jan–Feb in deep cold.
When is the rainy season in Ottawa?
Rain peaks in June with about 104 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Ottawa?
July, with average highs of 26°C (79°F).
How cold does Ottawa get?
The coolest nights are in January, averaging -16°C (3°F).
More about Ottawa
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Sources
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.