When to go · Ottawa

Ottawa in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: −5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C) / −14°C (7°F)7°F (−14°C); average high / low
Rain days: 0
Crowds: Low; Canada overall
Prices: Low; Canada overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Ottawa

Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

OttawaHighs around -5 °C (23 °F), lows around -14 °C (7 °F), rain on about 0 daysHighs around 23 °F (-5 °C), lows around 7 °F (-14 °C), rain on about 0 days
Ontario and Great Lakes, Canada · Toronto, Ottawa, Niagara Falls, Algonquincool
Humid summers, snowy winters; late September–October foliage in Algonquin.

Canada overall: Deep cold east of the Rockies; ski season in Whistler and Banff; northern lights in Yellowknife.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ottawa, side by side.

First month

Second month

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jan–Feb unless you want deep cold and ice; Jul–Aug for heat and humidity.

May: Inside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.

Ottawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.