The climate of Montreal
Positioned in the eastern part of
Canada,
Montreal claims a Dfb Köppen climate classification. This denotes a humid continental climate, characterized by no dry season yet with a warm summer. This city's profound seasonal variations attribute to its distinctive geographical location.
Temperature peaks between
July and
August, with an average high of 25.8°C (78.4°F) and 24.8°C (76.6°F), respectively. However, their shift is rather dramatic, plummeting from 20.8°C (69.4°F) in
September to a chilling -2.2°C (28°F) by
December. Climatic conditions in Montreal are typically freezing in the winter months, with the lowest average temperatures of -13.1°C (8.4°F) observed in
January. Montreal's average humidity fluctuates slightly throughout the year, keeping between 73% and 90%.
Notably, Montreal's rainfall is quite consistent year-round, with August showing the highest average of 85mm (3.35") and September exhibiting the lowest at 55mm (2.17"). Such rain disposition influences the count of rainy days, which stretches from 10.3 days in
March to a peak of 17.8 days in both
May and July. Snowfall, on the other hand, starts in
November with an average depth of 118mm (4.65"), peaking in January and
February at 293mm (11.54") and 280mm (11.02"), respectively. As might be expected, the number of snowfall days also dramatically increases during the winter months.
The best time to visit Montreal
Examine the figures for temperature, sunlight hours, UV index, and rainfall, one can determine that the optimal time to visit
Montreal is from
June to
August. Summers in Montreal flaunt a lovely warmth, with average high temperatures hovering around 22.2°C (72°F) in June, 25.8°C (78.4°F) in
July, and 24.8°C (76.6°F) in August. Visitors can also revel in extended daylight, from 15.6 hours in June to 14.1 hours in August, and a generous dosage of sunshine spanning from 8.7 hours to 9.9 hours. Moreover, these months register moderate rainfall compared to other months, maintaining a visitor's excursion largely uninterrupted.
The worst time to visit Montreal
Conversely, the least favorable time to visit
Montreal falls between
January and
February. These winter months record the lowest maximum temperatures, peaking at a chilly -4.1°C (24.6°F) and -5.8°C (21.6°F), respectively. The shortest days also occur during these months, with only 9.2 to 10.4 hours of daylight, considerably lesser sunshine on average per day, and a low UV index. Moreover, the heavy snowfall during these months, with up to 280mm (11.02") to 293mm (11.54") of snow recorded in each month, can pose travel difficulties.
Spring weather in Montreal
Spring in
Montreal, which spans from
March to
May, initiates with a mildly cold atmosphere in March and warms up by May. It kicks off with an average high temperature of 1.2°C (34.2°F) in March, gradually rising to 18.4°C (65.1°F) in May. A striking rise in daily sunlight hours is noticeable, from 12 hours to 14.9 hours. Simultaneously, rainfall amounts increase over the spring period, with March's 68mm (2.68") rising to May's 85mm (3.35").
Summer weather in Montreal
Summer months in
Montreal, extending from
June to
August, are typically warm with plentiful sunshine. A gradual decline in temperatures is visible from the peak in
July at 25.8°C (78.4°F) to a slightly cooler 24.8°C (76.6°F) by August. There's a hike in rainfall over summer, ranging from 75mm (2.95") in June to 78mm (3.07") in August. Later summer months also witness a slight increase in relative humidity, up to 76%.
Autumn weather in Montreal
Autumn showcases a significant drop in temperatures, from 20.8°C (69.4°F) in
September to a nippy 5.1°C (41.2°F) by
November. Daylight hours shrink swiftly from September's 12.5 hours down to November's 9.5 hours. Rainfall patterns in autumn vary, with 55mm (2.17") in September, spiking up to 84mm (3.31") in
October and then a drop to 69mm (2.72") in November.
Winter weather in Montreal
Winter in
Montreal is bitterly cold, with
December attaining an average high of -2.2°C (28°F), further dipping to -5.8°C (21.6°F) in
January and moderating slightly to -4.1°C (24.6°F) in
February. Daylight hours are shortest during winter, picking up slightly from the 8.8 hours in December to 9.2 hours in January. Montreal winters host heavy snowfall, hitting a high of 293mm (11.54") in January. The winter season also sees the highest number of snowfall days, notably in January with 18.3 days.
Weather in January
January in
Montreal,
Canada, is a winter month that embodies frigid temperatures and high snowfall levels. The weather conditions cause frosty mornings with an average low temperature of -13.1°C (8.4°F), adding a fair amount of chill to the air.
Weather in January » Weather in February
Though
February carries the continued chill of
January, there is a slight rise in the average high and low temperatures to -4.1°C (24.6°F) and -11.8°C (10.8°F), respectively. Compared to January, February gets less snow at 280mm (11.02") falling over 17.5 days.
Weather in February »Weather in March
With the arrival of
March,
Montreal starts thawing from winter's grip, and the average high temperature crosses into the positive territory at 1.2°C (34.2°F). The month witnesses a significant drop in snowfall from
February's 280mm (11.02") to 158mm (6.22").
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Montreal begins to embrace the signs of spring in
April. There is a substantial jump in the average high temperature from
March's 1.2°C (34.2°F) to April's 9.9°C (49.8°F). In April, snowfall plunges drastically to just 56mm (2.2") over 4.5 days, signaling the end of the intense cold months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May in
Montreal welcomes the arrival of summer with an average high temperature jump to a pleasant 18.4°C (65.1°F). It is the transition month when snowfall finally comes to a halt, with only 1mm (0.04") of snow recorded for the entire month.
Weather in May » Weather in June
The increasing temperature trend continues in
June, with the average high reaching a warm 22.2°C (72°F) mark. June is the first month completely devoid of snowfall, meaning the outdoor temperature is warm enough for a variety of activities.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is the hottest month in
Montreal with an average high temperature soaring to 25.8°C (78.4°F). This period, however, has fewer rainfall days at 17.8 compared to
June’s 17.5, making it relatively dry despite being the warmest.
Weather in July » Weather in August
Despite a slight decline from
July’s high,
August's average high temperature still lingers at a warm 24.8°C (76.6°F). Day-to-day weather in
Montreal in August is comparable to how it was in July. The days continue to be warm, encouraging participation in water-based activities and park visits.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September marks the transition from summer to autumn, with temperature dipping to a comfortable high average of 20.8°C (69.4°F).
Montreal in September is different from
August, with cooler temperatures and less rainfall from 78mm (3.07") to 55mm (2.17").
Weather in September »
Weather in October
Montreal experiences significant cooling with
October's average high temperature lowering to 12.8°C (55°F) from
September's 20.8°C (69.4°F). This time of year, the city is beautifully adorned in vibrant fall foliage, eliciting a picturesque view.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November is a harbinger of the coming winter, with the average high temperature dropping to 5.1°C (41.2°F). With 118mm (4.65") of snowfall over 5.7 days,
Montreal starts preparing for the winter chill. Snow-capped buildings and frost-covered streets become a common sight indicating the onset of winter again.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Finally,
December transforms
Montreal into a winter wonderland with temperatures plunging to a chilling average high of -2.2°C (28°F). Snow makes a comeback in full swing with 211mm (8.31") falling over 14.5 days, turning the city into a snowy paradise.
Weather in December »