When to go · Ottawa
Ottawa, month by month
The best months for Ottawa: May, Jun, Sep, Oct. Months to avoid: Jan, Feb, Jul, Aug.
Month by month
- JanuaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.-5 °C (23 °F) / -14 °C (7 °F), 0 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 7 °F (-14 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: Low
- FebruaryAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.-3 °C (27 °F) / -13 °C (9 °F), 0 rain days27 °F (-3 °C) / 9 °F (-13 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Late ski season; sugar shacks in Québec open for maple season.3 °C (37 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 0 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: Low
- AprilMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Thaw and mud; Rockies trails still snowy; Vancouver cherry blossoms.11 °C (52 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MayGreatInside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.19 °C (66 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 12 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- JuneGreatInside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.24 °C (75 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 12 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JulyAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.27 °C (81 °F) / 16 °C (61 °F), 11 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 61 °F (16 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustAvoidListed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.26 °C (79 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High
- SeptemberGreatInside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.21 °C (70 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 11 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGreatInside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Grey shoulder season; many seasonal businesses in parks close.6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain daysCrowds: Low
- DecemberMixedOutside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.-2 °C (28 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 0 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 0 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ottawa, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Jun: Great
Daytime high
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Jun: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Night low
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Jun: 13 °C (55 °F)55 °F (13 °C)
Rain days
May: 12
Jun: 12
Crowds
May: Medium
Jun: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jun: 1
May: Inside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.
June: Inside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.
Ottawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.