Avg High
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
14h

What to expect

In Ottawa, August sits in late summer, with a clear seasonal rhythm running through the month. Most days feel warm without being relentless, with evenings that ease back comfortably. You get long daylight windows for full-day exploring. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.

August in context

How it compares to the rest of the year in Ottawa.

Hottest (avg)
#2 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#4 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#12 / 12
Highest UV
#4 / 12
Most Humid
#6 / 12

Monthly climate breakdown

Temperature

Daytime high
Nighttime low
Feels like (avg)

Sunshine

Daylight hours
14 h
UV index (max)
7
Typical sun hours
05:04 - 19:07

Rain & Snow

Total rain
Rainy days
14 days
Cloud cover (avg)
55%

Humidity & Wind

Humidity (avg)
74%
Wind (avg)
Wind (max gusts)

Daily climate explorer

Daily climate explorer for August in OttawaInteractive chart with daily scrub and pinned insight panel.01020304011631°C

Day 15 selected for August. Typical high 25.1°C and low 16.7°C.

Typical disruptions in August

Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in August.

Rain High impact

Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 18% of days (5.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

5.7 days / month

~18% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 5.7 days / month
  • Probability ~18% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~31mm (P95)

Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 17% of days (5.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

5.2 days / month

~17% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 5.2 days / month
  • Probability ~17% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~31mm (P95)

Washout conditions are possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 10% of days (3.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

3.2 days / month

~10% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 3.2 days / month
  • Probability ~10% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~37mm (P95)

Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~64km/h (P95)

Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Heat Moderate

Hot feels-like days Measures: Hot feels-like days (>=32C). Observed about 7% of days (2.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.1 days / month

~7% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.1 days / month
  • Probability ~7% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)

Feels-like heat >=32C is possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Humidity Moderate

Muggy days Measures: Muggy days (dew point >=20C). Observed about 6% of days (2.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.0 days / month

~6% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.0 days / month
  • Probability ~6% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~22°C (P95)

Muggy conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Show all disruptions (21 more)
Rain High impact

Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 0.7 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~29mm (P95)

Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Rain High impact

Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.6 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.6 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~57mm (P95)

Very heavy rain is possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Wind High impact

Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.4 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.4 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~68km/h (P95)

Strong gusts are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Heat Moderate

Hot days Measures: Hot days (>=30C). Observed about 6% of days (1.9 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

1.9 days / month

~6% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 1.9 days / month
  • Probability ~6% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~35°C (P95)

Hot days are possible on ~2 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Rain Minor

Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 55% of days (17.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

17.0 days / month

~55% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 17.0 days / month
  • Probability ~55% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)

Measurable rain is possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 45% of days (13.8 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

13.8 days / month

~45% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 13.8 days / month
  • Probability ~45% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)

Cloudy skies are possible on ~14 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Rain Minor

Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 40% of days (12.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

12.5 days / month

~40% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 12.5 days / month
  • Probability ~40% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~18h (P95)

Several rainy hours are possible on ~12 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Humidity Minor

High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 29% of days (9.1 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

9.1 days / month

~29% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 9.1 days / month
  • Probability ~29% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~93% (P95)

High humidity is possible on ~9 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Wind Minor

Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 26% of days (8.2 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

8.2 days / month

~26% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 8.2 days / month
  • Probability ~26% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~59km/h (P95)

Gusty conditions are possible on ~8 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.

Rain Minor

Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 26% of days (8.0 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

8.0 days / month

~26% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 8.0 days / month
  • Probability ~26% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~19h (P95)

Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~8 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.

Cloud Minor

Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 22% of days (6.8 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

6.8 days / month

~22% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 6.8 days / month
  • Probability ~22% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~7 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Humidity Minor

Humid days Measures: Humid days (dew point >=18C). Observed about 21% of days (6.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

6.5 days / month

~21% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 6.5 days / month
  • Probability ~21% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~22°C (P95)

Humid conditions are possible on ~7 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.

Humidity Minor

Convective risk Measures: Convective storm risk proxy. Observed about 8% of days (2.6 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.6 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.6 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~22°C (P95)

Convective risk signal appears on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Cloud Minor

Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 8% of days (2.5 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

2.5 days / month

~8% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 2.5 days / month
  • Probability ~8% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)

Overcast skies are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Visibility Minor

Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~96% (P95)

Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Other Minor

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.7 days / month

~2% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.7 days / month
  • Probability ~2% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~96 (P95)

Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Very hot feels-like Measures: Very hot feels-like days (>=35C). Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.4 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.4 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)

Very hot feels-like conditions are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Heat stress risk Measures: High heat stress days. Observed about 1% of days (0.4 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.4 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.4 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~38°C (P95)

Heat stress is possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Feels-like heatwave Measures: Feels-like heatwave runs (>=3 days). Observed about 0.3 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.3 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.3 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~36°C (P95)

Feels-like heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Heat Minor

Warm nights Measures: Warm nights (min >=22C). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.3 days / month

~1% of days

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.3 days / month
  • Probability ~1% of days
  • Intensity Up to ~24°C (P95)

Warm nights are possible on ~0 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.

Heat Minor

Heatwave run Measures: Heatwave runs (>=3 hot days). Observed about 0.3 days/month in August. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.

0.3 days / month

Probability unavailable

Why this matters
  • Expected days 0.3 days / month
  • Probability
  • Intensity Up to ~33°C (P95)

Heatwave runs are possible on ~0 days. Midday activity often needs adjustment around shade, hydration, and indoor fallback options.

Frequently asked questions

Is August a good time to visit Ottawa?

Typical August days in Ottawa reach highs of 25°C (77°F) with nights around 16°C (61°F). It usually feels warm by day and mild after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.

What are temperatures like in August?

Daytime temperatures in August typically peak near 25°C (77°F), while nights drop to around 16°C (61°F). Expect warm afternoons and mild evenings.

How much does it rain in August?

Rainfall in August averages 97 mm (3.8 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.

How many hours of daylight are there in August?

You can expect about 14 hours of daylight in August. Sunrise is typically around 05:04 and sunset near 19:07. You get long days with comfortable amounts of daylight.

How strong is the sun in August?

UV levels are often high (around 7). Regular sunscreen and a hat are recommended.

Is it windy in August?

In August, average wind speeds are around 9 km/h (6 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 47 km/h (29 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.

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