Winter in Ottawa shapes daily life in ways few other Canadian cities really understand. You deal with long stretches of cold, steady snowfall, and short daylight hours that set the tone for months. Average winter weather in Ottawa brings very cold temperatures, frequent snow, and a consistent snowpack that sticks around for ages.
Daytime highs usually stay below freezing, and nighttime lows often fall deep into the negatives. Snow falls often, and it doesn’t just melt away after a storm—it piles up, leaving a thick blanket across the city.
This creates both challenges and opportunities, whether you’re commuting, exploring, or figuring out your winter plans. Honestly, knowing what’s coming helps you get ready for the season in practical ways.
From how deep the snow can get to how much sunshine you’ll see in December, Ottawa’s winter climate is predictable but tough. With the right info, you can handle the season and maybe even enjoy it.
Overview of Ottawa’s Winter Climate
Ottawa goes through long, snowy winters thanks to its inland spot and northern latitude. Cold air masses take over most of the season.
Frequent snowfall and subfreezing temperatures shape daily life from December through February.
Continental Climate Characteristics
Ottawa sits in a humid continental climate, which brings sharp contrasts between seasons. Winters get cold and snowy, and summers turn warm and humid.
The city’s inland location means there’s no big lake to moderate the cold, so winter temperatures often stay well below freezing.
Average daily highs in January hit around -5 °C (23 °F), with lows near -14 °C (7 °F). Cold snaps sometimes push temperatures below -20 °C (-4 °F).
Wind chill makes it feel even colder, especially in open spots. Snowfall stays consistent and heavy.
On average, Ottawa gets about 120 cm (47 inches) of snow each winter. Snow cover usually lasts from late November through March, which affects transportation, outdoor activities, and daily routines.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
Winter in Ottawa usually kicks off in late November with the first lasting snow. By December, daytime highs hover around -1 °C (30 °F), and nights drop to about -9 °C (16 °F).
January is the coldest, with a mean temperature near -10 °C (14 °F). Snowfall spreads across the season instead of piling up in just one month.
Precipitation averages 65–75 mm per month in winter, mostly as snow. Storm systems often bring 10–20 cm of snow at a time, and sometimes freezing rain shows up.
Daylight gets scarce in midwinter, with only about 8 hours of sun in December. This short day length, plus lots of cloud cover, makes the season feel even darker and colder.
Wind speeds average 25–28 km/h, which adds to the chill.
Comparison to Other Canadian Cities
Compared to Toronto, Ottawa winters feel colder and snowier. Toronto gets some help from Lake Ontario, which keeps things a bit milder, so average January lows there are closer to -7 °C (19 °F) instead of Ottawa’s -14 °C (7 °F).
Toronto also sees less snow. Against Montreal, Ottawa has similar cold but a bit less snow. Montreal averages around 210 cm (83 inches) each winter, nearly double Ottawa’s totals.
Out west, cities like Calgary get colder extremes but also see more sunshine and drier days. Ottawa, though, has higher humidity and more frequent snow cover, so winter just seems to stick around longer.
Typical Winter Temperatures in Ottawa
Winter in Ottawa means long stretches of freezing weather with steady cold day and night. Temperatures stay well below freezing for months, with January and February being the harshest.
Extreme lows do happen, but most days follow pretty steady temperature patterns, which helps you plan for outdoor stuff and travel.
Average Daytime and Nighttime Temperatures
Daytime highs in winter usually range from -6°C to -1°C (21°F to 30°F) depending on the month. Nights get much colder, often dropping to -14°C to -8°C (6°F to 18°F).
The coldest nights of the season can dip into the minus twenties Celsius. Ottawa typically records about 17 nights each winter below -20°C (-4°F).
Snow cover and cloudiness keep temperatures steady, so you won’t see big swings between day and night. The cold just hangs around, especially in January when the average low sits at -13°C (8°F).
Monthly Temperature Trends
Winter in Ottawa runs from late November through March, but December to February are the coldest months.
- December: Highs near -1°C (30°F), lows around -8°C (18°F)
- January: Highs near -5°C (23°F), lows around -13°C (8°F)
- February: Highs near -4°C (25°F), lows around -13°C (9°F)
By March, temperatures start to rise, with highs near 3°C (37°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F). Even then, freezing nights are still pretty common.
Ottawa usually has 74 days each winter when the temperature stays below freezing all day. That’s a long time without any real thaw.
Record Lows and Highs
Ottawa’s winters sometimes bring extreme cold. The city has seen lows in the -30s °C (-22°F to -40°F), mostly during Arctic air outbreaks in January.
These cold snaps pop up every few years and can stick around for several days. Even so, winter occasionally gives you a break with brief warm spells.
Temperatures can climb above freezing, especially in late February or March, but those moments are short-lived.
Once in a while, daytime highs in December or January sneak just above 5°C (41°F), causing a temporary thaw. Still, these mild spells don’t last, and most of the time, it’s just cold and snowy.
Snowfall and Snow Depth
Ottawa gets long winters with steady snowfall and a persistent snowpack. You’ll see both frequent snow events and long stretches when snow just won’t leave the ground.
Average Annual Snowfall
On average, Ottawa picks up between 175 cm and 225 cm of snow per year. That puts the city among Canada’s snowier capitals, though it’s not at the very top.
Most years bring around 50 to 60 days with measurable snowfall. Light snowfalls under 5 cm are the most common, but a few bigger storms hit each winter.
Snowfalls of more than 25 cm in a single day are rare, showing up only about once every decade. Compared to other Canadian cities, Ottawa’s totals are high but not off the charts.
For example, St. John’s, Newfoundland, often gets nearly double Ottawa’s yearly snowfall. Still, Ottawa gets enough snow for winter sports and plenty of shoveling.
Monthly Snow Accumulation
Snowfall doesn’t spread out evenly through the winter. The heaviest months are December, January, and February, with totals usually ranging from 39 to 47 cm per month.
| Month | Average Snow (cm) |
|---|---|
| November | 15 |
| December | 44 |
| January | 39 |
| February | 47 |
| March | 23 |
| April | 6 |
Snow often starts in late October or early November. By December, accumulation ramps up quickly and keeps going into March.
April sometimes brings a final dusting, but it’s usually lighter and melts fast. This pattern means you’ll see the deepest snow cover in mid-winter, with steady buildup through January and February.
Snow on the Ground Duration
Snow doesn’t just fall—it sticks around. Ottawa usually has at least 1 cm of snow on the ground for about 115 days each year.
The snowpack starts forming in December and hits its peak in January and February, averaging around 20 to 25 cm. It’s common to see snow cover of 10 cm or more for weeks at a time.
By late March, the snowpack thins out, though patches often hang on until April. From June through September, Ottawa stays reliably snow-free.
This long run of snow cover really shapes the city’s winter look and the way people get around or play outside.
Precipitation and Humidity Levels
Winter in Ottawa brings frequent snowfall, steady moisture in the air, and enough wind to make the cold sting. You’ll get a mix of snow, moderate humidity changes, and breezes that can make it feel even colder than the thermometer says.
Rain and Snow Precipitation
Most of Ottawa’s winter precipitation falls as snow. On average, you can expect 200–250 cm (79–98 inches) of snowfall over the season.
Snow usually starts in late November and keeps coming into March, with the biggest dumps in January and February. Rain is pretty rare during the coldest months.
Still, you might get the odd freezing rain or sleet event, especially in December or early March when temperatures hover near freezing. These can make roads and sidewalks slick.
Snowfall stays pretty steady across winter, but sudden storms can drop 20 cm (8 inches) or more in a day. If you’re heading out, prepare for both light flurries and those heavier storms.
| Month | Average Snowfall (cm) | Average Precipitation (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| December | 55–65 | 75–85 |
| January | 50–60 | 70–80 |
| February | 40–50 | 65–75 |
Humidity Trends in Winter
Humidity in Ottawa during winter sits at moderate levels compared to the warmer months. Relative humidity usually falls between 60% and 70%, with December often being the most humid.
The air might feel damp outside, but once it’s below freezing, things get dry indoors. Cold air can’t hold much moisture, so you’ll probably notice dry skin, static, and discomfort without a humidifier.
Indoor heating drops humidity levels even more, often sinking below 30% inside homes and hotels. You’ll also notice some differences between early and late winter.
December feels more humid, while February often feels drier, even though snow still falls regularly.
Wind and Air Quality
Winds in Ottawa during winter stay steady and can really affect how cold you feel. Average wind speeds range from 14 to 18 km/h (9–11 mph), but gusts pick up during snowstorms.
Wind chill values often make it feel 5–10°C colder than what the thermometer shows. Northwest winds dominate, pulling in cold Arctic air.
This pattern brings sharp temperature drops after snow events. Air quality in winter usually stays good.
Cold conditions keep smog away, and the city rarely deals with long pollution spells. Still, wood-burning fireplaces and more cars on the road can cause brief dips in air quality, especially on calm, cold nights.
If you’re heading outside, be ready for wind exposure and the extra chill it brings, even when the sun’s shining.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
Winter in Ottawa means short days, limited sunshine, and lots of clouds. These factors change how much natural light you get and can shape your daily routine, outdoor plans, and even your mood.
Average Daily Sunshine
In December, you get about 2 hours and 29 minutes of direct sunshine per day on average. January bumps up a bit to 3 hours, and February almost hits 4 hours.
Even on clear days, the sun doesn’t stick around long compared to summer. This is pretty normal for northern cities at this latitude.
Just to break it down:
- December: 2h 29m
- January: 3h 00m
- February: 3h 53m
These short days make winter feel darker, especially with so many overcast skies.
Day Length Changes
Daylight hours in Ottawa really shift throughout the winter. In late December, you only get about 8 hours and 47 minutes of daylight.
By the time late February rolls around, the days stretch out to around 10 hours and 19 minutes.
You can actually feel this gradual change. Every week, you pick up a few extra minutes of sunlight.
By winter’s end, evenings seem longer and mornings don’t feel quite so dark.
Key averages for winter:
- December: 8h 47m
- January: 9h 09m
- February: 10h 19m
That jump from December to February adds up to more than 1.5 hours of daylight. Late winter definitely feels less closed-in, doesn’t it?
Cloud Cover Patterns
Even as daylight increases, thick clouds often block out the sun. In December and January, you’ll only see sun for about 28–33% of daylight hours.
February does a little better, with roughly 38% of hours being sunny.
Most days still end up cloudy or partly cloudy. Snow and weather fronts roll in, making the sky stay gray for days.
You’ll notice that over half the daylight hours in winter are dim or overcast.
If you want to plan outdoor activities, you’ll need to stay flexible. Sun breaks don’t always last long, and predicting them isn’t easy.
For a lot of people in Ottawa, limited sunshine just feels like part of the season.
Preparing for Ottawa’s Winter Weather
Ottawa’s winters hit hard with freezing temperatures, heavy snow, and icy conditions.
Staying comfortable and safe really comes down to how you dress and plan your travel.
Clothing and Gear Recommendations
You’ll want insulated outerwear that can handle serious cold. A down or synthetic parka rated for subzero temperatures works best.
Layer up with thermal base layers and toss on a fleece or wool mid-layer for extra warmth.
Don’t forget your extremities. Wear waterproof boots with good traction, thick socks, and insulated gloves or mittens.
A warm hat that covers your ears helps a lot. Adding a scarf or neck gaiter blocks the wind and keeps you warmer.
Walking can get tricky with all the snow and ice, so traction aids like clip-on boot grips really help.
Sunglasses or goggles are a good idea too—sunlight bouncing off the snow can be almost blinding.
Keep an emergency kit at home and in your car. Toss in blankets, extra gloves, and hand warmers.
These little things make a cold day feel a lot more manageable.
Travel and Transportation Tips
Snow and ice really mess with driving, public transit, and even just walking around. If you drive, grab some winter tires—they’re actually required in a few provinces and, honestly, you’ll want them in Ottawa. Winter tires help your car grip the road when things get slippery.
Try to keep your gas tank at least half full, since that can stop your fuel line from freezing up.
Give yourself extra time for commuting. Snow clearing slows down traffic, so you’ll probably run into delays.
Pack a car emergency kit before you go anywhere. Toss in a shovel, ice scraper, jumper cables, plus some sand or kitty litter for traction.
If you use public transit, wear warm layers because buses and trains often run late when it’s snowing hard.
Walking isn’t always easy either. Try to stick to sidewalks that someone’s cleared, and skip those tempting shortcuts through deep snow.
Before heading out, check the weather and look up city snow removal updates. It’s not fun getting caught in a storm you could’ve avoided.