Spring in Montreal really brings one of the most noticeable seasonal shifts of the year. Temperatures climb from freezing in early March to mild and comfortable by late May, and snow gives way to steady rainfall and longer days. You can feel winter’s chill fading, and summer’s warmth starts to take hold.
As the weeks pass, the skies clear up, daylight stretches, and parks and streets slowly fill with life again. You’ll probably notice how fast things change—from icy mornings at the start of the season to evenings warm enough for an outdoor walk by the end.
If you understand these patterns, you can plan better, whether you’re looking forward to outdoor activities, figuring out what to pack, or just curious about what daily life feels like this time of year. Montreal’s spring weather is nothing if not varied, and knowing what’s ahead makes it easier to enjoy the season.
Spring Weather Overview in Montreal
Spring in Montreal means a steady rise in temperatures, longer daylight, and a shift from snow to rain. You’ll find cooler conditions in early March, but by late May, the city feels much more comfortable, with mild to warm days and fewer clouds.
Defining the Spring Season in Montreal
Spring in Montreal usually runs from March through May. At the beginning, daily highs average around 31°F (-0.5°C), and lows can dip near 17°F (-8°C).
By late May, highs reach closer to 70°F (21°C), and lows hover around 54°F (12°C).
This period also marks the start of the growing season, which kicks off in late April. You’ll get more daylight, with the day length increasing by over four hours from early March to the end of May.
March still brings snow, averaging about 10 inches over a month, but it tapers off quickly. By late May, snow is basically gone, and you’ll see more frequent rainfall.
General Climate Characteristics
Spring weather in Montreal can be all over the place, with cold mornings, mild afternoons, and some wet days. The chance of precipitation climbs from about 26% in early March to 35% by late May.
Rain replaces snow as the season moves along.
Cloud cover drops a bit too, with skies overcast about 61% of the time in March and 52% in May. By late spring, you’ll enjoy clearer days, especially toward the end of May.
Humidity stays low in early spring but edges up as the season wraps up. Muggy days are rare—less than 3% feel humid.
Winds average between 9 and 11 mph, usually from the west, but they calm down as summer gets closer.
Transition from Winter to Spring
You can really feel the shift from winter to spring in Montreal, and sometimes it’s dramatic. Early March still feels wintry, with freezing mornings and lingering snow.
By April, snow becomes slush and rain, and temperatures rise enough to make outdoor activities more comfortable.
Daylight saving time pushes sunrise and sunset later. By the end of May, you get over 15 hours of daylight, with sunsets after 8:30 PM.
This change transforms the city. Parks green up, outdoor markets reopen, and walking along the St. Lawrence River becomes much more pleasant than in winter.
Average Temperatures During Spring
Spring in Montreal brings a steady warming trend, moving from freezing conditions in early March to mild, comfortable weather by late May. You’ll experience a wide range of temperatures, with clear differences between daytime highs and nighttime lows.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown
In March, average daytime highs sit near 31°F (-0.5°C). Nighttime lows hover around 17°F (-8°C), and snow is still common.
By April, things warm up. Highs average around 50°F (10°C), and lows reach about 34°F (1°C). This month often feels transitional, with snow fading and rain taking over.
In May, it’s much milder. Average highs climb to 70°F (21°C), and lows reach about 54°F (12°C). At this point, you’ll see mostly rain instead of snow, and the longer days make the city feel warmer.
| Month | Avg High (°F) | Avg Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| March | 31 | 17 |
| April | 50 | 34 |
| May | 70 | 54 |
Daytime vs Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime temperatures in spring rise quickly, especially from April onward. Afternoons warm into the 50s and 60s°F by mid-season, making outdoor activities much more comfortable.
Nighttime stays cooler. Early spring nights often dip below freezing, and frost is common through March.
By May, nights become milder, staying in the 50s°F, which helps kick off the growing season.
The gap between day and night temperatures can be wide in March—sometimes more than 15–20°F. As the season goes on, the difference narrows, and evenings feel less harsh.
Late spring feels perfect for outdoor dining and evening walks.
Temperature Trends and Extremes
Spring brings a steady warming of nearly 40°F from early March to late May, which is a pretty dramatic shift for Montreal.
You can still get extremes, though. In March, temperatures sometimes drop below 0°F (-18°C) during cold snaps.
By late May, highs can occasionally jump above 80°F (27°C), bringing a taste of summer.
You’ll want flexible clothing—a heavy coat in March, lighter jackets or even short sleeves by May. This variability is just part of spring in Montreal.
Precipitation Patterns in Spring
Spring in Montreal brings a steady transition from snow to rain, with moisture spread pretty evenly across the season. You’ll get measurable precipitation almost every week, but the type and amount shift as it warms up.
Rainfall Amounts by Month
Rainfall goes up from March through May as warmer air supports rain instead of snow. In March, you typically get around 70–80 mm of combined rain and melting snow.
By April, rainfall rises to about 85–95 mm, with more days of steady showers.
May is often the wettest spring month, averaging 90–100 mm of rain. This keeps the city green, but you’ll want to plan for wet weather if you’re outside.
| Month | Avg. Precipitation (mm) | Main Type |
|---|---|---|
| March | 70–80 | Snow + Rain |
| April | 85–95 | Mostly Rain |
| May | 90–100 | Rain |
Frequency of Rainy Days
Precipitation in Montreal doesn’t just come in big amounts—it’s also pretty regular. March usually brings 10–12 days with measurable precipitation, and many still include some snow.
April averages 11–13 days of rain or mixed weather, often in lighter but more frequent bursts.
By May, you’ll see 12–14 days with rain, so about half the month is wet.
It’s smart to carry an umbrella or light rain jacket all season. Rain tends to fall in short bursts, not long storms, so you’ll often catch some sunshine between showers.
Snowfall and Melting Periods
Snow still shows up in early spring. In March, you might see 20–30 cm of snow, though much of it melts quickly as daytime highs rise above freezing.
Roads and sidewalks usually clear up within a day or two after storms.
By April, snowfall drops sharply to 5–10 cm, and it rarely sticks around. The ground thaws, and snow cover disappears from most areas by mid-month.
May is almost always snow-free, though a rare flurry can pop up early in the month. By then, rainfall fully replaces snow as the main form of spring precipitation.
Humidity and Wind Conditions
Spring in Montreal brings moderate humidity and steady winds that shape the season’s feel. You’ll notice a shift from the dry air of late winter to a bit more moisture, along with breezes that can feel cool even on milder days.
Typical Humidity Levels
Humidity in Montreal during spring usually ranges from 51% in May to about 65% in March and April. The air feels less dry than in winter, but it’s not heavy like in summer.
Mornings can feel more damp, especially after rain or melting snow overnight.
By late May, the air lightens up, making outdoor activities more comfortable.
High humidity with cool temperatures in March and early April can make the air feel colder than what the thermometer says. You’ll feel this most when it’s cloudy and breezy.
By May, lower humidity and warmer days create a more pleasant atmosphere. Late spring is one of the nicest times to be outdoors in Montreal.
Average Wind Speeds
Winds in Montreal during spring average around 12–16 km/h (7–10 mph), but gusts can get stronger, especially near the St. Lawrence River. The wind often comes from the west or southwest.
In March, winds can feel sharp when paired with lingering cold.
By April, breezes stay steady but don’t bite as much as temperatures rise.
Expect sudden gusts on some days, which can make it feel cooler than expected. These gusts often follow passing weather fronts that bring rain showers.
By late May, winds are more moderate and actually feel refreshing during warmer afternoons.
Notable Weather Events
Spring weather in Montreal can bring a mix of rain showers, late-season snowfalls, and strong gusts. March sometimes brings the last snow events of the season, with winds that can cut visibility.
April is known for frequent rain systems, and these often come with steady breezes that last for hours, leaving the air damp and cool.
By May, thunderstorms start to show up, though they’re not as common as in summer. When they do happen, you might get short bursts of stronger wind and heavy rain.
These changing conditions make spring a true season of transition, with humidity and wind working together to shape each day.
Daylight Hours and Sunshine
Spring in Montreal brings longer days and more sunlight compared to winter. You’ll notice a steady shift in both daylight and sunshine hours, which makes outdoor activities easier and just more enjoyable as the season moves on.
Lengthening Days in Spring
From March to May, daylight in Montreal increases quickly. In early March, you get about 12 hours of daylight.
By May, it’s almost 15 hours.
This steady extension of daylight means evenings feel brighter, giving you more time for walks, cycling, or exploring city parks after work.
The change is especially noticeable in April, when the daylight grows by almost an hour over March.
Here’s a quick look at the daylight averages:
| Month | Average Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| March | ~12 hours |
| April | ~13.5 hours |
| May | ~14.9 hours |
Longer days help cut the gloomy feel of winter, as mornings brighten earlier and sunsets stretch later.
Sunshine Duration Trends
While daylight grows, actual sunshine depends on cloud cover. In March, you’ll get about 4–5 hours of direct sun per day.
By May, this jumps to 7–8 hours on average.
April usually brings more variable skies—a mix of sunny breaks and cloudy stretches. Still, things trend toward clearer weather as spring goes on.
The sunniest part of spring is usually late May, when skies open up more often and sunny spells last longer. This extra sunshine, combined with warmer temperatures, makes late spring one of the best times to be outside in Montreal.
What to Expect: Outdoor Activities and Local Life
As spring moves along in Montreal, you’ll see the city shift from quiet winter streets to lively public spaces. Warmer weather brings people outdoors for gatherings, seasonal festivals, and a return to biking, walking, and dining outside.
Seasonal Events and Festivals
Once the snow starts melting, you’ll find all sorts of cultural and community events popping up. Early in the season, smaller neighborhood festivals focus on local food and music.
By late spring, bigger events pull in larger crowds, especially when the weather finally settles down. Montreal really leans into its arts scene.
You’ll spot outdoor art installations, live performances, and food fairs in parks and public squares. These events let you soak up some local culture at your own pace, which honestly feels pretty nice after a long winter.
Most activities happen outside, but the weather can be unpredictable. Some festivals don’t stop for rain, so tossing a light jacket and an umbrella in your bag isn’t a bad idea.
Popular Outdoor Activities
Spring works well for exploring Montreal’s parks. Mount Royal Park has walking and hiking trails, and the city views get much clearer once the winter haze disappears.
Once the ice melts, people start biking and jogging along the Lachine Canal path. Terraces and patios usually open up again in April or May, so you can finally eat outside.
Cafés and restaurants tend to fill up fast on sunny days, so showing up early gives you a better shot at a good spot. Locals love using public green spaces for picnics.
Botanical gardens and spots along the river get more colorful as everything blooms. It’s a great time for photos or just a quiet walk if that’s more your style.
Tips for Visitors
Montreal’s spring weather changes fast. One day in March, you might see snow or even freezing rain. By May, though, things usually warm up, with highs around 15°C to 20°C (59°F–68°F).
Definitely pack layers so you can deal with whatever comes your way.
April brings a lot of rain, so I’d suggest bringing waterproof shoes and maybe a small umbrella. Streets get wet, and melting snow sometimes leaves puddles in the lower spots.
Public transit gets you around easily, but honestly, walking lets you take in the city’s neighborhoods best. Want to bike? Make sure the paths have opened for the season, since some take a while to clear.