Weather by month for Ottawa, the best months to go and how Canada's regions differ, scored from 10 years of climate data.
May, Sep
The highest month scores: comfortable temperatures, little rain and plenty of sun.
Highs 20°C to 22°C · 9–11 rain days
Jun, Jul, Aug
Still good weather, just not quite the top months.
Highs 24°C to 27°C · 13 rain days
Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec
The weakest weather of the year: too hot, too cold or too wet.
Highs -4°C to 6°C · 11–13 rain days
Weather by month
Average highs and lows, rain days, sunshine and our month score out of 10.
| Month | High / low | Rain days | Sunshine | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°C / -13°C | 11 days (76 mm) | 4.9 h/day | 2.0/10 |
| February | -2°C / -12°C | 12 days (74 mm) | 6.1 h/day | 2.1/10 |
| March | 3°C / -7°C | 12 days (76 mm) | 7.5 h/day | 2.6/10 |
| April | 11°C / 0°C | 13 days (105 mm) | 8.2 h/day | 4.0/10 |
| Best month: May | 20°C / 8°C | 11 days (91 mm) | 10.4 h/day | 7.8/10 |
| June | 24°C / 13°C | 13 days (115 mm) | 10.8 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| July | 27°C / 17°C | 13 days (108 mm) | 12.1 h/day | 7.0/10 |
| August | 25°C / 17°C | 13 days (121 mm) | 10.9 h/day | 7.4/10 |
| Best month: September | 22°C / 13°C | 9 days (76 mm) | 9.5 h/day | 8.1/10 |
| October | 14°C / 7°C | 12 days (104 mm) | 6.4 h/day | 5.3/10 |
| November | 6°C / 0°C | 12 days (76 mm) | 5.0 h/day | 1.9/10 |
| December | 0°C / -6°C | 13 days (88 mm) | 3.8 h/day | 1.4/10 |
Figures for Ottawa; the country's best months are weighted across its cities. Best months are highlighted. How we score months
Month by month
-4°C / -13°C · 11 rain days · 4.9 h sun
January is a bad time to go. In Ottawa, highs average -3.5°C and lows drop to -12.7°C, with 11 rain days and only 4.9 hours of sun a day. It scores 2, so our verdict is avoid. Even in the middle of the day the temperature stays below freezing.
-2°C / -12°C · 12 rain days · 6.1 h sun
February is still too cold for most trips. Highs in Ottawa average -2°C and lows are around -12.1°C, with about 12 rain days. Sunshine rises a little to 6.1 hours a day. It scores 2.1, so our verdict is avoid.
3°C / -7°C · 12 rain days · 7.5 h sun
March is warmer but still not a good time to visit. Highs reach 3.3°C, but nights fall to -6.6°C, and there are about 11.5 rain days. It scores 2.6, so our verdict is avoid. Wait until spring properly arrives.
11°C / 0°C · 13 rain days · 8.2 h sun
April is a mixed month. Highs climb to 11.1°C, but lows sit near 0.4°C, and it is wet, with 12.6 rain days and 105 mm of rain. It scores 4, so our verdict is ok. Pack for cold, damp days.
20°C / 8°C · 11 rain days · 10.4 h sun
May is one of the best months to go. Highs reach 19.5°C, lows are around 7.9°C, and there are 11 rain days with 10.4 hours of sun a day. It scores 7.8, so our verdict is best. It is mild without the full summer heat.
24°C / 13°C · 13 rain days · 10.8 h sun
June is a good time to visit. Highs average 23.7°C and lows 13.4°C, with 10.8 hours of sun a day. Rain is common, with 12.9 rain days and 115 mm. It scores 7.4, so our verdict is good.
27°C / 17°C · 13 rain days · 12.1 h sun
July is the warmest month, with highs of 26.7°C and lows of 17.1°C. It has the most sun, at 12.1 hours a day, but also the most rain days, at 13.3. It scores 7, so our verdict is good. Bring a light rain jacket.
25°C / 17°C · 13 rain days · 10.9 h sun
August stays warm, with highs of 25.2°C and lows of 16.7°C. It is the wettest month, with 121 mm of rain over 12.8 rain days. Sun is still strong, at 10.9 hours a day. It scores 7.4, so our verdict is good.
22°C / 13°C · 9 rain days · 9.5 h sun
September has the highest score of the year, 8.1, so our verdict is best. Highs are a comfortable 21.9°C and lows 13.2°C. It also has the fewest rain days, at 9.3, and only 76 mm of rain. If you can choose one month, choose this one.
14°C / 7°C · 12 rain days · 6.4 h sun
October cools quickly, with highs of 14.3°C and lows of 6.9°C. It gets wetter again, with 12.4 rain days and 104 mm of rain, and sun drops to 6.4 hours a day. It scores 5.3, so our verdict is ok. Pack warm layers.
6°C / 0°C · 12 rain days · 5.0 h sun
November is a poor time to go. Highs are only 6.2°C, lows fall to -0.3°C, and there are about 12 rain days with just 5 hours of sun a day. It scores 1.9, so our verdict is avoid. The weather is cold and grey.
0°C / -6°C · 13 rain days · 3.8 h sun
December has the lowest score of the year, 1.4, so our verdict is avoid. Highs are around 0.2°C and lows around -6.3°C. It has the least sun, at 3.8 hours a day, and 12.6 rain days. Short, dark, cold days make this the worst month to go.
By trip type
City sightseeing
September and May suit city breaks best. In Ottawa, September averages highs of 22°C and just 9.3 rain days, the fewest of the year. May is cooler, with highs of 19.5°C and lows of 7.9°C, but offers 10.4 sun hours a day.
Hiking & nature
September is the best hiking month. Ottawa data shows highs of 21.9°C, lows of 13.2°C and only 76 mm of rain over 9.3 days. Summer is wetter, with 121 mm falling in August.
Keep planning
FAQ
Yes. September is the best month in our data, with a score of 8.1. In Ottawa, highs average 21.9°C and lows 13.2°C. It has the fewest rain days of the year, at 9.3, with 76 mm of rain and 9.5 hours of sun a day. Note that these figures are for Ottawa only. Canada is very large, so other regions will differ.
Yes. May is our second-best month, with a score of 7.8. Ottawa warms up to an average high of 19.5°C, but nights are still cool at 7.9°C, so pack a warm layer. You can expect about 11 rain days, 91 mm of rain and 10.4 hours of sun a day.
Yes, both are good, but they are not the best. July scores 7 and August 7.4. July is the warmest month in Ottawa, with a 26.7°C high and 12.1 hours of sun. It also has the most rain days, at 13.3. August is the wettest month, with 121 mm of rain. If you want drier weather, choose September.
We suggest you avoid them if you want mild weather. December scores 1.4, the lowest of the year. It has only 3.8 hours of sun a day. January scores 2, with an average high of -3.5°C and lows of -12.7°C in Ottawa. November to March are all rated 'avoid' in our data.
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