All Countries
Weather & Climate in Ottawa, ON
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ottawa has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 233 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 42.7 inches. The area receives 60.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. The city sits at an elevation of 243 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-9°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 233 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 243 ft (74 m) |
| Area | 1,076.5 sq mi (2,788.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 945/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4112°N, 75.6981°W |
| Timezone | America/Toronto |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
168 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.4.
| Jun 23, 2010 | 29 km NNE of Val-des-Monts, Canada | M5.4 | 55 km | 19 km |
| May 17, 2013 | 20 km NNE of Shawville, Canada | M5.1 | 64 km | 13 km |
| Oct 19, 1990 | 11 km SW of Mont-Laurier, Canada | M4.6 | 118 km | 13 km |
| Mar 14, 1996 | 7 km WNW of Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard, Canada | M4.5 | 118 km | 18 km |
| May 17, 1991 | 7 km WNW of Rigaud, Canada | M4.4 | 102 km | 18 km |
| Dec 25, 1993 | 9 km WSW of Mont-Laurier, Canada | M4.3 | 122 km | 18 km |
| May 24, 1997 | 6 km W of Saint-Adolphe-d'Howard, Canada | M4.2 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Oct 31, 1999 | 7 km SW of Morin-Heights, Canada | M4.2 | 118 km | 18 km |
| Apr 18, 1998 | 4 km N of Plantagenet, Canada | M4.1 | 58 km | 18 km |
| Aug 6, 2000 | 7 km SSW of La Minerve, Canada | M4.0 | 103 km | 18 km |
| Nov 17, 1992 | 16 km ENE of Saint-André-Avellin, Canada | M4.0 | 76 km | 18 km |
| Feb 25, 2006 | 4 km NE of Thurso, Canada | M4.0 | 46 km | 11 km |
| Mar 6, 1991 | 49 km NNW of Fort-Coulonge, Canada | M3.9 | 133 km | 18 km |
| Oct 7, 1990 | 21 km WNW of La Minerve, Canada | M3.9 | 108 km | 18 km |
| Jul 30, 1993 | 1 km NE of Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, Canada | M3.9 | 125 km | 8 km |
| Mar 16, 2011 | 6 km ENE of Hawkesbury, Canada | M3.9 | 93 km | 10 km |
| Sep 18, 2011 | 1 km E of Thurso, Canada | M3.8 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Oct 6, 2000 | 1 km WSW of Ormstown, Canada | M3.8 | 135 km | 18 km |
| Sep 23, 1993 | 11 km SE of La Conception, Canada | M3.8 | 112 km | 18 km |
| Jul 30, 1998 | 0 km ENE of Lac-Simon, Canada | M3.8 | 112 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 15.0 m (49 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1908 | NOTRE DAME DE LA SALETTE | Meteorological | 15.0 m | 33 | 41 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| February | 15°F (-10°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest, Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 2.5 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 2.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 3.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 3.3 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 3.1 in |
Ottawa has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 15°F in February to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 36.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (2.2").