Canada · 30-year monthly climate averages
Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months to visit Ottawa are June, August and September, when daytime temperatures are agreeable and rainfall is relatively low.
Ottawa sees its warmest weather in July, when daytime highs average around 27°C, and its coolest in January (around -5°C).
Annual precipitation totals roughly 938mm — July is typically the wettest month (~94mm) and February the driest (~51mm).
Rainfall is spread fairly evenly through the year, so no single season is dramatically wetter than the rest.
🟧 avg daytime high · 🟦 dashed: avg nighttime low · bars: monthly rainfall
Daily forecast highs vs the 30-year normal — last 60 days
Each bar is one day: orange above normal, blue below.
| Month | High / Low | Rainfall | Travel rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5° / -14°C | 69mm | 🤔 Fair |
| February | -3° / -13°C | 51mm | 🤔 Fair |
| March | 3° / -7°C | 62mm | 🤔 Fair |
| April | 12° / 1°C | 73mm | 🤔 Fair |
| May | 19° / 8°C | 85mm | 👍 Good |
| June | 24° / 13°C | 88mm | 🌟 Great |
| July | 27° / 16°C | 94mm | 👍 Good |
| August | 26° / 15°C | 87mm | 🌟 Great |
| September | 21° / 10°C | 87mm | 🌟 Great |
| October | 13° / 5°C | 88mm | 🤔 Fair |
| November | 6° / -1°C | 83mm | 🤔 Fair |
| December | -1° / -9°C | 71mm | 🤔 Fair |
January in Ottawa is freezing, with daytime highs below zero, with average daytime highs around -5°C (23°F) and nighttime lows near -14°C (7°F). Expect roughly 69mm of precipitation spread over about 11 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — insulated winter coat · thermal layers · gloves and a warm hat
February in Ottawa is freezing, with daytime highs below zero, with average daytime highs around -3°C (26°F) and nighttime lows near -13°C (9°F). Expect roughly 51mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, with little rainfall.
🎒 What to pack — insulated winter coat · thermal layers · gloves and a warm hat
March in Ottawa is cold, with average daytime highs around 3°C (37°F) and nighttime lows near -7°C (20°F). Expect roughly 62mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — warm coat · sweaters and layers · scarf
April in Ottawa is chilly, with average daytime highs around 12°C (54°F) and nighttime lows near 1°C (34°F). Expect roughly 73mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — jacket or coat · long-sleeve layers
May in Ottawa is pleasantly warm, with average daytime highs around 19°C (66°F) and nighttime lows near 8°C (46°F). Expect roughly 85mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — light layers · comfortable walking shoes
June in Ottawa is pleasantly warm, with average daytime highs around 24°C (76°F) and nighttime lows near 13°C (56°F). Expect roughly 88mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — light layers · comfortable walking shoes
July in Ottawa is warm, with average daytime highs around 27°C (80°F) and nighttime lows near 16°C (60°F). Expect roughly 94mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — light summer clothing · sunscreen and sunglasses
August in Ottawa is warm, with average daytime highs around 26°C (78°F) and nighttime lows near 15°C (58°F). Expect roughly 87mm of precipitation spread over about 8 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — light summer clothing · sunscreen and sunglasses
September in Ottawa is pleasantly warm, with average daytime highs around 21°C (70°F) and nighttime lows near 10°C (50°F). Expect roughly 87mm of precipitation spread over about 9 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — light layers · comfortable walking shoes
October in Ottawa is chilly, with average daytime highs around 13°C (55°F) and nighttime lows near 5°C (41°F). Expect roughly 88mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — jacket or coat · long-sleeve layers
November in Ottawa is cold, with average daytime highs around 6°C (42°F) and nighttime lows near -1°C (31°F). Expect roughly 83mm of precipitation spread over about 10 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — warm coat · sweaters and layers · scarf
December in Ottawa is freezing, with daytime highs below zero, with average daytime highs around -1°C (29°F) and nighttime lows near -9°C (16°F). Expect roughly 71mm of precipitation spread over about 11 rainy days, with a moderate amount of rain.
🎒 What to pack — insulated winter coat · thermal layers · gloves and a warm hat