Ottawa, Ontario — Climate
Ottawa Weather
Ottawa has a vast range of temperatures between summer and winter, and is subject to unpredictable weather conditions. Winters are generally snowy and icy; statistically Ottawa is the second coldest capital city in the world after Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. Temperatures in winter can drop as low as -25°C (-13°F) at night, but averages are misleading because days can be much warmer. Ice storms can occur. Summer weather in Ottawa is warm and humid, with temperatures exceeding 30°C (86°F) fairly often, sometimes as early as April and as late as October. Summers are usually short, though, and spring and autumn are unpredictable, with early or late snowfalls possible or even unseasonal heat waves.
Average Temperatures and Rainfall in Ottawa
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainfall (inches) | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2.8 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 3.5 | 3.4 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.9 | 3.0 | 2.6 |
| Rainfall (cm) | 74 | 56 | 71 | 69 | 64 | 89 | 86 | 66 | 81 | 74 | 76 | 66 |
| Min Temp (°C) | -16 °C | -16 °C | -9 °C | -1 °C | 7 °C | 12 °C | 14 °C | 13 °C | 9 °C | 3 °C | -3 °C | -13 °C |
| Max Temp (°C) | -6 °C | -6 °C | 1 °C | 11 °C | 19 °C | 24 °C | 27 °C | 25 °C | 20 °C | 12 °C | 4 °C | -4 °C |
| Min Temp (°F) | 3 °F | 3 °F | 16 °F | 30 °F | 45 °F | 54 °F | 57 °F | 55 °F | 48 °F | 37 °F | 27 °F | 9 °F |
| Max Temp (°F) | 21 °F | 21 °F | 34 °F | 52 °F | 66 °F | 75 °F | 81 °F | 77 °F | 68 °F | 54 °F | 39 °F | 25 °F |
| Good Weather | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No |
