Temperature range
Typical highs and lows
High25.8°C
Low-13.9°C
The broad yearly range between warm daytime highs and the coolest overnight lows.
Canada Ottawa, Canada
Ottawa experiences a cold climate, where average temperatures vary from a low of -5°C / 23°F in January to a high of 26°C / 78°F in July.
Rainfall averages about 86 mm / 3.4 inches per month, with the wettest conditions in June (108 mm / 4.3 inches) and the driest in February (59 mm / 2.3 inches).
Sun intensity varies throughout the year, with UV levels reaching 7 in June and falling to 2 in December; strong sun protection is essential during summer months.
Daylight hours range from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.6 hours in June.
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Find the best dates. Understand the conditions. Pack with confidence.
Climate overview
Climate at a glance
The big-picture stats that matter for planning your visit to Ottawa.
Rain pattern
Wettest point of the year
108 mm
June carries the highest typical rainfall load.
Sun exposure
Typical peak UV band
Moderate (5.3)
A fast read on how strong midday sun typically gets across the year.
Daylight window
Seasonal daylight range
9 hrsto16 hrs
Useful for gauging how much sightseeing time you get in shorter versus longer seasons.
Wind profile
Typical breeze strength
11 km/h
April is typically the breeziest month.
Humidity
Typical moisture range
65 %to79 %
A quick signal for how dry, comfortable, or heavy the air tends to feel.
When should I go?
Our top-rated months for visiting Ottawa, based on long-term weather comfort and conditions
Typical weather by month
Compare all monthsTip: click on a card to see detailed daily weather averages for that month.
How Ottawa compares
See how it ranks against the rest of Canada for key metrics.
HOTTEST (AVG)
in Canada
#3 / 7
COOLEST (AVG)
in Canada
#4 / 7
WETTEST (TOTAL)
in Canada
#4 / 7
WINDIEST (AVG)
in Canada
#3 / 7
HIGHEST UV
in Canada
#3 / 7
MOST HUMID
in Canada
#4 / 7
Short term outlook
Visiting soon? Here's the next 7 days of weather for Ottawa, or see an hourly breakdown for the next 14 days.
Travel planning FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the weather questions you ask the most.
How does the weather in Ottawa feel over the year?
Across the year, daytime highs average about 11°C (52°F), with nights near 3°C (37°F). Overall it feels cool by day and cold after dark. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing. Expect a mix of sun and cloud across the year.
When is the best time to visit Ottawa for dry weather?
When is sun exposure strongest in Ottawa?
UV tends to peak in June, when UV levels are often high (around 7). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.
Does it snow in Ottawa?
Yes. Snowfall is possible, and it peaks in December, when averages reach around 1.1 cm. Winters are when you're most likely to see snow on the ground.
Is Ottawa a windy place?
Across the year, average winds sit around 11 km/h (7 mph), with gusts on windier days up to about 58 km/h (36 mph). Overall it is it can feel quite windy at times, particularly when weather systems move through.
How much daylight does Ottawa get?
On average, days offer about 12 hours of daylight. Daylight is fairly typical, with enough time for sightseeing.