When is the best time to go to Ottawa
The chart above shows the best time of year to visit Ottawa, Canada. These are based on an analysis of weather averages such as temperature, rainfall and number of hours of sunshine. These ratings are based solely on the climate and do not take into account other factors such as accommodation prices and how busy it is likely to be.
Average temperatures in Ottawa
Ottawa weather by month
Please note our recommendations for when to visit Ottawa are based solely on the weather and do not take into accounts accommodation prices, how busy it will be and what events are on.
January
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| -6°C | 59mm | 3.7hrs | 10.3hrs |
January is a reasonably dry month in Ottawa and the temperature is generally very cold.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Ottawa for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
January is in the winter in Ottawa and is typically the coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing -6°C (21°F), whilst at night -16°C (4°F) is normal.
On average January is the driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 59mm 2.3 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 14 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 3.7 hours of sunshine per day.
February
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| -4°C | 58mm | 4.9hrs | 11.4hrs |
February in Ottawa is generally reasonably dry with the temperature being cold.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Ottawa for your holidays. The weather is often relatively bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
February is in the winter in Ottawa and is typically the 2nd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing -5°C (24°F), whilst at night -15°C (6°F) is normal.
On average February is the 2nd driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 58mm 2.3 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.9 hours of sunshine per day.
March
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1°C | 62mm | 5.5hrs | 12.8hrs |
The weather in March in Ottawa is characteristically cold and reasonably dry.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Ottawa for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
March is in the spring in Ottawa and is typically the 3rd coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing 2°C (35°F), whilst at night -8°C (18°F) is normal.
On average March is the 3rd driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 62mm 2.4 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 5.5 hours of sunshine per day.
April
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10°C | 65mm | 6.7hrs | 14.5hrs |
Ottawa's weather in April is typically cool and reasonably dry in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of pretty acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Ottawa.
April is in the spring in Ottawa and is typically the 4th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 11°C (51°F), whilst at night 0°C (33°F) is normal.
On average April is the 4th driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 65mm 2.6 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.7 hours of sunshine per day.
May
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17°C | 73mm | 7.9hrs | 16hrs |
May is a reasonably dry month in Ottawa and the temperature is generally mild.
It is perhaps a good month to visit Ottawa, with some inordinately good weather at this time of year.
May is in the spring in Ottawa and is typically the 5th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 18°C (65°F), whilst at night 7°C (45°F) is normal.
On average May is the 5th driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 73mm 2.9 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 7.9 hours of sunshine per day.
June
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21°C | 83mm | 9hrs | 10.3hrs |
Mild and a little damp weather often prevails in Ottawa during the month of June
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Ottawa, with some very good weather at this time of year.
June is in the summer in Ottawa and is typically the 6th coldest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 24°C (75°F), whilst at night 12°C (54°F) is normal.
On average June is the 6th driest month of the year in Ottawa with around 83mm 3.3 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9 hours of sunshine per day.
July
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24°C | 88mm | 9.7hrs | 11.4hrs |
July in Ottawa is generally a little damp with the temperature being warm.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Ottawa, with some surprisingly good weather at this time of year.
July is in the summer in Ottawa and is typically the 6th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a comfortable 26°C (79°F), whilst at night 15°C (59°F) is normal.
On average July is the 6th wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 88mm 3.5 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 9.7 hours of sunshine per day.
August
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22°C | 86mm | 8.3hrs | 12.8hrs |
The weather in August in Ottawa is characteristically warm and a little damp.
It is perhaps the perfect month to visit Ottawa, with some extremely good weather at this time of year.
August is in the summer in Ottawa and is typically the 5th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 25°C (76°F), whilst at night 14°C (57°F) is normal.
On average August is the 5th wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 86mm 3.4 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 11 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 8.3 hours of sunshine per day.
September
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18°C | 80mm | 6.2hrs | 14.5hrs |
Ottawa's weather in September is typically mild and a little damp in nature.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of quite acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it a good time to visit Ottawa.
September is in the fall / autumn in Ottawa and is typically the 4th warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around 20°C (67°F), whilst at night 9°C (49°F) is normal.
On average September is the 4th wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 80mm 3.2 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 6.2 hours of sunshine per day.
October
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12°C | 71mm | 4.8hrs | 16hrs |
October is a reasonably dry month in Ottawa and the temperature is generally cool.
Although outside the main holiday season, there is still plenty of fairly acceptable weather around this time of year. This makes it an okay time to visit Ottawa.
October is in the fall / autumn in Ottawa and is typically the 3rd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cool 13°C (55°F), whilst at night 4°C (39°F) is normal.
On average October is the 3rd wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 71mm 2.8 inches of rain making it a reasonably dry time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 12 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 4.8 hours of sunshine per day.
November
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4°C | 84mm | 3.1hrs | 10.3hrs |
November in Ottawa is generally a little damp with the temperature being cool.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Ottawa for your holidays. The weather is often pretty bad and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
November is in the fall / autumn in Ottawa and is typically the 2nd warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a cold 5°C (40°F), whilst at night -2°C (28°F) is normal.
On average November is the 2nd wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 84mm 3.3 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 14 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 3.1 hours of sunshine per day.
December
| Temp | Rain | Sunshine | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| -3°C | 82mm | 2.8hrs | 11.4hrs |
December in Ottawa is generally a little damp with the temperature being cold.
Based on weather alone, this is probably a time of year to avoid going to Ottawa for your holidays. The weather is often not a good and not conducive to spending time outdoors.
December is in the winter in Ottawa and is typically the warmest month of the year. Daytime maximum temperatures average around a freezing -4°C (25°F), whilst at night -11°C (12°F) is normal.
On average December is the wettest month of the year in Ottawa with around 82mm 3.2 inches of rain making it a a little damp time to visit. This rainfall is typically spread over 16 days, although this may vary considerably.
On the flip side this corresponds to an average of 2.8 hours of sunshine per day.
Other monthly averages
Ottawa weather stats
| Hottest month: | July | 25.9°C 78.6°F |
|---|---|---|
| Driest month: | February | 58mm 2.3ins |
| Sunniest month: | July | 9.7hrs |
| Coldest month: | January | -6.6°C 20.1°F |
| Wettest month: | July | 88mm 3.5ins |
| Warmest sea: | August | 18°C 64.4°F |
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