Spending Christmas in Ottawa? Get ready for cold days, snowy streets, and a real Canadian winter vibe. Around Christmas, you’ll see average daytime highs near -4°C (25°F), with nighttime lows often dropping close to -12°C (10°F). Regular snowfall adds to the festive setting.
The city usually gets several days of snow in December, so chances are good for a white Christmas.
Temperatures can shift quickly. Sometimes, mild spells bring slush and freezing rain. Other times, Arctic air pushes the cold well below average.
Snow during this time often piles up several centimeters at a time. It’s pretty common for snow to stick around through the holidays.
If you’re planning a visit, the weather shapes both the charm and the challenges of Ottawa. The cold air, frequent snow, and short days create that classic winter backdrop, but you’ll definitely need warm clothing and some smart planning.
That mix of beauty and practicality is what makes Ottawa’s Christmas weather so unique.
Typical Christmas Weather in Ottawa
You can expect cold temperatures, lots of cloud cover, and a strong chance of snow during the holidays in Ottawa.
Conditions often flip between light snowfall, clear but frigid days, and sometimes rain mixed with snow.
Overview of December Climate
Ottawa gets one of the coldest Decembers among big Canadian cities.
Average highs drop from about 34°F (1°C) at the start of December to 25°F (-4°C) by month’s end. Nighttime lows often hit 11°F (-12°C), and sometimes dip below -8°F (-22°C).
Snowfall is just part of the deal. By mid-December, you’ll usually see 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) on the ground over a 31‑day stretch. Snow cover stays pretty consistent, so a white holiday is almost a given.
Rainfall drops off as the month goes on, replaced by steady snow events.
Cloud cover ramps up in December. Around Christmas, skies are overcast or mostly cloudy about 70% of the time.
Sunshine is limited. Daylight lasts less than 9 hours near the winter solstice.
Weather Patterns During Christmas Week
During Christmas week, daytime highs usually hover near 23–27°F (-5 to -3°C). Nighttime lows average 8–12°F (-13 to -11°C).
Winds are light to moderate, mostly from the west, averaging 5–6 mph (8–10 km/h).
You’ll probably see snow more often than rain. The chance of a day with only snow jumps to about 16%, while rain alone is rare at 4%.
Mixed precipitation can happen, but it’s not that common.
Snowfall often peaks around the third week of December. By Christmas, streets, parks, and the Rideau Canal are usually well covered.
With cold air in place, the snow tends to stick around, so you get reliable winter conditions for holiday fun.
Comparison to Other Canadian Cities
Compared to Toronto, Ottawa is colder and snowier. Toronto’s December highs average closer to 35°F (2°C), and snow cover isn’t as reliable because of the lake.
With Montreal, Ottawa’s climate is pretty similar, though Montreal sometimes feels windier and wetter. Both cities usually see snow at Christmas, but Ottawa often gets steadier accumulations.
If you look at Vancouver, the difference is huge. Vancouver’s December highs hang around 43°F (6°C), with lots of rain and barely any snow. Ottawa, on the other hand, almost guarantees a snowy holiday.
Temperature Trends in Late December
Late December in Ottawa usually means cold days, even colder nights, frequent snowfall, and short daylight hours.
You can expect temperatures to stay well below freezing, though past records show both mild spells and extreme cold snaps.
Average High Temperature
Around Christmas, the average high temperature in Ottawa sits near -3 °C to -5 °C (27 °F to 23 °F).
This range comes from long-term climate data and gives you a pretty accurate idea of what to expect during the day.
Sometimes, milder days pop up, and highs around 0 °C (32 °F) aren’t that rare. These thaws can make streets slushy and sidewalks icy once the temperature drops again at night.
Daytime highs rarely get above 5 °C (41 °F) in late December. When they do, it’s usually during an odd warm spell.
If you’re planning to be outside, just assume most afternoons will feel well below freezing, especially with the wind chill.
Average Low Temperature
At night, the average low temperature in late December falls to about -12 °C (10 °F).
It’s pretty common for overnight temps to drop even lower, especially during clear, calm nights.
Prepare for colder stretches where lows dip to -15 °C to -18 °C (5 °F to 0 °F). These aren’t rare at all and can last several days in a row.
Wind chill often makes nights feel even colder than the thermometer says. If you’re out after sunset, layer up and cover your skin.
Ottawa’s winter nights can be tough, especially around the holidays.
Historical Extremes
Records show just how much temperatures can swing.
The warmest December on record was 2015, with an average high of 4.9 °C and an average low of -1.2 °C. That year was a real outlier—way milder than usual.
The coldest December came in 1989, with an average high of -11.9 °C and an average low of -21.0 °C.
These numbers show how harsh the cold can get.
While those extremes aren’t the norm, they’re a good reminder that Ottawa’s late December weather can go all over the place. Planning for both typical and surprise conditions is just smart.
Precipitation and Rainfall During Christmas
You’ll get a mix of light rainfall and frequent snowfall in Ottawa around Christmas.
The city’s winter climate brings steady moisture, but most of it falls as snow, not rain, in late December.
Average Rainfall Amounts
Rainfall in Ottawa during Christmas is limited thanks to the cold. On average, December gets 15–25 mm of rain, way less than the summer months.
Most of that comes early in December. As temperatures drop, the chance of rain drops too.
For comparison, June often sees over 100 mm of precipitation, which just shows how dry December is for rainfall.
Instead, December’s precipitation is mostly snow, which adds up to 70–80 mm of total precipitation for the month when you melt it all down.
Any rain that does fall is usually brief and often switches over to freezing rain or snow.
Rain isn’t much of a concern during Christmas—icy conditions are a bigger deal.
Rainfall Frequency
December in Ottawa averages 8 to 10 days with measurable precipitation.
Most of those days bring snow, not rain. Rainfall days are rare, and when rain does show up, it’s usually because a warm front pushes temperatures above freezing for a bit.
Snow or mixed precipitation is much more common. So, even if you see precipitation on a lot of days, it’s not usually steady rain.
Because it’s so cold, any rain that falls can freeze quickly on roads and sidewalks. That makes things slippery and can be way more disruptive than the small amount of rain itself.
Snowfall Patterns
Snow rules Ottawa’s Christmas weather. December usually brings 45–60 cm of snowfall, making it one of the snowiest months of the year.
Snow tends to fall in light to moderate amounts across several days, not usually in one big storm.
By late December, snow cover is basically guaranteed. Historical data shows Ottawa usually has a snow depth of 20–30 cm on the ground during Christmas week.
Freezing rain can happen, too. It’s less common than snow, but when warmer air moves over cold surfaces, you can get icy layers that are tougher to deal with than fresh snow.
Other December Weather Factors
When you visit Ottawa in December, there’s more to notice than just cold and snow.
Humidity, daylight, and sunshine all shape how the city feels and how you plan your time outside.
Humidity Levels
Relative humidity in Ottawa during December averages around 87%, which is pretty high.
Even though it’s cold, that humidity can make the air feel damp and sharper on your skin. It adds to the chill, especially when it’s windy.
You might see frost forming fast on windows and cars because of the moisture.
Indoors, dry heating systems and outdoor humidity swings can make things uncomfortable, so a small humidifier can help.
High humidity also changes snow conditions. When humidity is up, fresh snow feels heavier and wetter, which matters if you’re shoveling, skiing, or skating.
You don’t get much of that powdery snow in December—heavier stuff is more common.
Daylight Hours
December brings the shortest days of the year in Ottawa.
You get about 8 hours and 48 minutes of daylight on average. Around Christmas, sunrise is close to 7:40 a.m., and sunset is near 4:25 p.m.
With so little daylight, you’ll want to plan activities earlier in the day.
Outdoor events, sightseeing, and winter sports all get squeezed into a tight window.
Evenings are long, so indoor attractions, restaurants, and holiday lights become more of a focus.
The early sunset also affects driving conditions. Roads can ice up fast after dark, and visibility drops.
If you’re not used to winter driving, running errands during daylight makes things safer.
Sunshine Duration
Despite the long nights, Ottawa still averages about 3 hours of direct sunshine per day in December.
Cloud cover is a frequent guest, so bright, clear skies don’t happen much. Sunny days feel like a treat.
The sun sits low in the sky, so even when it’s out, it doesn’t give off much warmth.
Snow on the ground bounces a lot of that sunlight back, which can cause glare. Sunglasses help, especially if you’re outside midday.
With limited sunshine, the city relies more on artificial light. Holiday decorations, street lamps, and lit pathways make things brighter during the long nights, helping to balance out the lack of natural light.
How Ottawa’s Holiday Weather Compares Nationally
Ottawa’s holiday weather stands out for its lasting snow cover and colder temperatures compared to many southern parts of Canada.
At the same time, it shares some winter patterns with other big cities that get freezing temps and regular snow in December.
Differences from Southern Canada
If you compare Ottawa to cities in southern Canada like Toronto or Windsor, the difference is obvious.
Ottawa is colder, with average December highs around -3°C to -5°C, while southern Ontario usually sees highs closer to 0°C or a bit above.
Snowfall is another big difference. Ottawa usually has a solid snowpack by Christmas, often 15 to 25 cm on the ground.
Southern places might only get light snow that melts fast, leaving things bare or slushy.
Wind chill is a bigger deal in Ottawa, too. The cold air feels several degrees lower than the actual temperature, while southern cities often dodge that intensity.
Ottawa’s holiday weather feels like a true winter, while southern Canada can feel unpredictable.
Similarities to Other Major Cities
Ottawa’s holiday climate matches up with other big Canadian cities farther north or inland.
For example, Montreal has similar snowy conditions and temperatures, sometimes just a bit warmer.
Both cities almost always get a white Christmas, unlike Vancouver or Halifax where rain is more likely.
In Winnipeg, you’ll find even colder holiday weather, with temperatures dropping below -10°C more often than in Ottawa.
Still, both cities share a strong chance of snow cover and icy winds in late December.
If you compare Ottawa to Quebec City, the similarities are striking. Both places combine steady snow, freezing nights, and that festive winter scenery people expect when they visit Canada for the holidays.
These parallels show Ottawa’s place among Canada’s reliably wintry capitals.
Tips for Visitors Experiencing Ottawa’s Christmas Weather
Ottawa’s holiday weather? It’s cold—like, really cold. Snow falls pretty often, and icy conditions make getting around tricky.
You’ll want to get ready for low temperatures. Planning ahead makes moving through the city a lot safer.
What to Pack
December in Ottawa usually brings daytime highs around -5°C. Nights dip well below freezing.
Snow shows up a lot, and wind chill? It can make things feel even colder. Pack clothes you can layer—trust me, you’ll be glad you did.
Grab a warm winter coat. Insulated gloves and a hat that covers your ears are must-haves.
A scarf or neck warmer shields your skin from frostbite. Waterproof boots with solid traction help you stay upright when sidewalks and streets get icy.
Wool socks, thermal base layers, and sweaters will keep you cozy, whether you’re inside or braving the cold outside.
Hand warmers come in handy for long walks or outdoor events. Sunglasses might sound odd, but sunlight bouncing off the snow can be blinding.
If you’re planning to skate on the Rideau Canal or wander through outdoor markets, toss an extra pair of socks and mittens in your bag. Wet gear turns a good day sour fast.
Staying dry matters just as much as staying warm.
Staying Safe Outdoors
Snow and ice in Ottawa make things slippery, especially around Christmas when sidewalks get crowded. Try walking slowly, keep your hands free if you can, and pick boots with non-slip soles.
Cold exposure can be a real problem. Frostbite might show up in less than 30 minutes if the wind chill gets nasty. Cover every bit of skin, and don’t stay outside too long if it drops below -15°C. Take a break indoors now and then to warm up.
If you’re driving, plan for extra time. Snowy roads and flurries can mess with visibility fast. Toss an emergency kit in your car with a blanket, flashlight, and some water.
Before heading out to outdoor events, like holiday light displays or canal skating, check the weather forecast. Ottawa’s weather can turn on a dime, so a little prep goes a long way if you want to enjoy the city without worry.