Climate Insights for Ottawa

The climate in Ottawa is cool. The average annual temperature is 7°C and approximately 1,128 mm of precipitation falls per year. Ottawa receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Ottawa is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -12°C. Ottawa experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.The climate in Ottawa is cool. The average annual temperature is 44°F and approximately 44.4 in of precipitation falls per year. Ottawa receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Ottawa is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to 10°F. Ottawa experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.

Ottawa has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 39°C from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 27°C and the mean temperature sits around 21°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -12°C and the daily average is -8°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 10°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 8°C shift in average temperatures.Ottawa has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 70°F from the coldest to warmest months. The warmest month is July, when average highs reach 80°F and the mean temperature sits around 70°F. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to 10°F and the daily average is 17°F. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 18°F between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 14°F shift in average temperatures.

Ottawa is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1,128 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 94 mm per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 113 mm of rainfall. October and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 69 mm. That's 44 mm less than April, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Ottawa receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 230cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 56cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.Ottawa is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 44.4 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 3.7 in per month. The wettest month is April, averaging 4.4 in of rainfall. October and July also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is September, with just 2.7 in. That's 1.7 in less than April, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Ottawa receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 90in annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 22in. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.

Ottawa is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 11km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is March, averaging 12km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 9km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 12km/h in winter, 12km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 11km/h in autumn.Ottawa is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 7mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is March, averaging 8mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 6mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2mph between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 7mph in winter, 7mph in spring, 6mph in summer, 7mph in autumn.

The best time to visit Ottawa is during September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 16°C with modest rainfall averaging 69 mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 27°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -12°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Ottawa is during September, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 60°F with modest rainfall averaging 2.7 in per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 80°F, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to 10°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Ottawa based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Ottawa based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.