When to go · Ottawa
Ottawa in March
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Late ski season; sugar shacks in Québec open for maple season.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) / −7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 0
- Crowds
- Low
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Low
- Canada overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Late ski season; sugar shacks in Québec open for maple season.
Is another month better than March?
March is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in March
- OttawaHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -7 °C (19 °F), rain on about 0 daysHighs around 37 °F (3 °C), lows around 19 °F (-7 °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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Low
- Prices · Canada overall
- Low
Canada overall: Late ski season; sugar shacks in Québec open for maple season.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ottawa, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Mar: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
May: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
Mar: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 0 (better)
May: 12
Crowds
Mar: Low
May: Medium
Prices
Mar: Low
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Mar: 0
May: 0
March: Outside the best window (May–Jun, Sep–early Oct). Across Canada: Late ski season; sugar shacks in Québec open for maple season.
May: Inside Ottawa's best window: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct.
Ottawa: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket