Best Time to Visit Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Ottawa.
Ottawa does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (July, 21.3°C / 70.3°F) and driest (February, 55 mm / 2.2 in) months. The drier stretch runs through October and December–May; the wetter half falls in June–September and November. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from -10.8°C / 12.6°F in January to 21.3°C / 70.3°F in July, with rainfall from 55 mm / 2.2 in (February) to 89 mm / 3.5 in (June). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Ottawa, Ontario, Canada's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Ottawa's climate is broadly strongly continental. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 21.3°C70.3°F | 87 mm3.4″ | — |
| August | 20.2°C68.4°F | 88 mm3.5″ | — |
| June | 18.5°C65.3°F | 89 mm3.5″ | — |
No month at Ottawa matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Ottawa?
Ottawa doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on February (driest, ~55 mm / 2.2 in) and July (warmest, 21.3°C / 70.3°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Canada's national average.
When is the rainy season in Ottawa?
The rainy season at Ottawa, Ontario runs through June–September and November, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 82 mm / 3.2 in. The wettest single month is June (89 mm / 3.5 in).
What is the driest month in Ottawa?
The driest month in Ottawa is February, averaging about 55 mm / 2.2 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages -9.1°C / 15.6°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Ottawa?
The least comfortable months for travel to Ottawa — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, June, July, August, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 89 mm / 3.5 in in June, and the coldest month averages -10.8°C / 12.6°F.
Is Ottawa climate different from Canada overall?
Yes, usually. Our Ottawa figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Canada figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Ottawa specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.