Montréal Weather by Month and the Best Time to Visit

The guides agree on one thing more than any other. Of 17 guides read, 15 send you to Montréal for the summer, and 14 name September or October as the other good window. The numbers back that up. July has an average high of 26.3°C and a low of 16.1°C, and January is the coldest month at -5.3°C and -14.0°C with 49.5 cm of snow, from Environment Canada’s 1981 to 2010 normals. Winter has its own fans, and spring is the season most guides warn about. The table further down has every month.

Summer: June to August

Recommended by 15 of 17 guides read.

Most guides pick June to August for terraces, parks and festivals. Highs run from 23.9°C in June to 26.3°C in July and 25.3°C in August, with no snow. Seven guides add that it can turn hot and humid, and nine say it’s also when crowds and hotel prices peak, so book early.

Seven guides name the Montréal International Jazz Festival. The next one runs from 25 June to 4 July 2027 (festival site). The June, July and August events pages list the rest, and live music shows the gigs.

Early autumn: September and October

Recommended by 14 of 17 guides read.

September is the other safe pick. It still reaches 20.6°C by day and 10.3°C at night. October drops to 13.0°C and 3.9°C, so it suits a layer and a rain jacket. Ten guides point to the autumn colour, with the lookout on Mount Royal as the usual spot, and seven say the city is quieter and cheaper than in summer. A few guides prefer September for exactly that reason, since it keeps summer’s warmth without summer’s crowds.

The Mount Royal Park and Parc La Fontaine pages are the easy places to start. The September and October events pages show what’s on.

Winter: December to February

Recommended by 13 of 17 guides read for snow, skating and festivals.

Winter is cold and snowy, and 13 guides still count it as a reason to come. Highs stay below freezing, lows reach -9.3°C to -14.0°C, and December to February add up to well over a metre of snow. Thirteen guides name skating, snow and winter festivals as the draw, nine say to pack a proper coat, boots, hat and gloves, and five point to the Underground City for days when it’s too cold to stay out. Five name the December Christmas markets and five name Igloofest.

The winter festivals guide and the Christmas markets guide cover the details. The December, January and February events pages list what’s on.

Spring: March to May

Recommended by 9 of 17 guides read for late May and June. A warning in 12 of 17: spring is changeable.

Twelve guides call spring unpredictable, with slush, rain and the odd late snowfall. March averages 2.5°C by day and 36.2 cm of snow, and April climbs to 11.6°C with 12.9 cm. Late May is the turning point. Nine guides recommend late May and June, when highs reach 18.9°C to 23.9°C and the parks are green. Pack waterproof shoes for April and an umbrella for most of the year, as six guides advise.

Less common picks

A few picks show up in only a few guides. Three say winter is the cheapest season, and five name the Underground City or the Christmas markets. If cost is the deciding factor, compare your dates on the where to stay guide before you choose between winter and summer.

Montréal weather by month

The figures are Environment and Climate Change Canada’s climate normals for the Montréal/Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport station, averaged over 1981 to 2010 (ECCC climate normals). The agency’s data service publishes this 1981 to 2010 set for the station, so treat the numbers as a guide rather than a forecast. Rain and snow are monthly totals. The station is at the airport in Dorval, a short way west of downtown.

A day with precipitation is one with at least 0.2 mm of rain or snow. These are averages, and a single week can run well either side. Check the forecast before you pack.

Montréal weather in winter: December to February

Winter is cold and snowy. The average high stays below freezing from December to February, and in January the daily high is 0°C or colder on about 23 days out of 31. December brings 48.9 cm of snow on average, January 49.5 cm and February 41.2 cm. Lows of -9.3°C to -14.0°C are normal. You’ll want a long coat, insulated boots, gloves and a hat.

The cold has an upside. The city leans into winter with festivals and indoor routes, and the winter festivals guide covers Igloofest, Lumino and Montréal en Lumière. The Underground City keeps part of downtown walkable indoors, and the Christmas markets guide covers December. The December, January and February events pages list what’s on.

Montréal weather in March and April

March is still winter. The average high is 2.5°C, the low is -6.5°C, and 36.2 cm of snow falls on average. April is the turning point, with a high of 11.6°C and a low just above freezing at 1.2°C. Snow drops to 12.9 cm and rain rises to 68 mm. Expect slush and changeable days in both months, and pack waterproof shoes. The March and April events pages show what’s on while the city thaws.

Montréal weather in May and June

May has a high of 18.9°C and a low of 7.9°C, with no meaningful snow. June warms to 23.9°C by day and 13.2°C at night. Both months have precipitation on about 13 days, and the sunshine hours climb to 229 in May and 240 in June. It’s good weather for Mount Royal Park, the Old Port and walking the Plateau. See the May and June events pages.

Montréal weather in July and August

July is the warmest month at 26.3°C by day and 16.1°C at night. August is close behind at 25.3°C and 14.8°C. It’s also the most humid stretch. Days with a humidex of 30 or more average 17.0 in July and 13.7 in August, and days above 30°C average 3.6 and 2.5. August has the most rain of any month, at 94 mm. July has the most sunshine, with 271 hours on average. The July and August events pages list the festivals.

Montréal weather in September and October

September is still warm at 20.6°C by day and 10.3°C at night, with 83 mm of rain. October drops to 13.0°C and 3.9°C, with 89 mm of rain. The first snow shows up in the average at 1.8 cm. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer, and go to Mount Royal and Parc La Fontaine for the autumn walks. The September and October events pages show what’s on.

Montréal weather in November

November is the grey month. The average high is 5.9°C and the low -1.7°C. It has the fewest sunshine hours of any month along with December, at 84, and about 19.0 cm of snow falls on average. Rain is still common at 77 mm. It’s a quieter month, and the November events page shows what’s on before the winter programme starts.

Which month is the best time to visit Montréal?

It depends on what you want from the trip.

• Warm weather and terraces: June to August. Highs run from 23.9°C to 26.3°C and there’s no snow. It’s also the most humid time, so pick the lighter end of your wardrobe.
• Mild days and fewer hot afternoons: May and September. Highs of 18.9°C and 20.6°C are comfortable for walking all day, and rain stays moderate.
• Autumn: early to mid October. The average high is 13.0°C, which suits a layer and a rain jacket. It’s the month to head for the parks.
• Winter: December to February. Cold, but the festivals and the indoor options make up for it. The December Christmas markets are the main draw.
• Least pleasant: late March to April and November. Slush, grey skies and changeable weather.

Wherever you land, where to stay in Montréal compares the areas, and the things to do guide fills the days. If you’re adding Québec City or a day out, see the day trips guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the coldest month in Montréal?

January. The average high is -5.3°C and the average low -14.0°C, with 49.5 cm of snow.

What is the warmest month in Montréal?

July, with an average high of 26.3°C and a low of 16.1°C.

Which month has the most rain in Montréal?

August, at 94 mm on average. October (89 mm) and July (89 mm) are close.

Does it snow in Montréal in December?

Yes. December averages 48.9 cm of snow over 16.3 days with some precipitation, and the average high is -1.4°C, so snow on the ground is normal. In the 1981 to 2010 normals the average snow depth at the end of December is 9.9 cm.

When does it start snowing in Montréal?

The averages show 1.8 cm in October and 19.0 cm in November, so the first snow usually comes in late autumn.

What month is the best time to visit Montréal?

June to September for warm weather and outdoor events, October for cooler days and autumn colour, and December to February if you want the Christmas markets and winter festivals and can handle the cold.

What should I pack for Montréal?

A long coat, insulated boots, gloves and a hat from December to March. A rain jacket and a warm layer in April, October and November. Light clothes with a rain layer from May to September, plus something for the occasional humid day in July and August.