Ottawa Weather in December
Ottawa in December
The short of it: Ottawa in December averages a high of -1 °C (29 °F) and a low of -9 °C (16 °F), with 76 mm (3.0 in) of rain and about 8 h 44 min of daylight. Rated 1 of 5 for a visit; the best months are September and June. Source: TerraClimate climate normals, 1991–2020.
Average high -1° · low -9° · rain 76 mm · daylight 8 h 44 min
✦ Travel with care for a visit · best months: September & June
Thirty years of records give Ottawa an average December high of -1°, a low of -9° and some 76 mm of rain. The year turns hard here: highs drop 8° from November to about -1°, with nights near -9°. Wet spells are common — about 76 mm, the 8th wettest month. Snow lies on the ground; mind the passes.
The sun is up for about 8 h 44 min in mid-December, 42 minutes less than a month before.
For the traveller: pack the buffalo coat, mittens and fur-lined boots, and an oilskin besides. The Almanac rates December 1 of 5 for a visit; the finest months here are September and June.
Against its neighbours, Ottawa runs warmer than most and about as wet in December. Centretown, 0 km to the NNE, sees much the same highs.
December in Ottawa, by the numbers
- Warmth rank
- 10th warmest of 12
- Rain rank
- 8th wettest of 12
- Versus November
- 8° colder, 1.0 mm more rain
- Versus January
- 4° warmer
- Day–night spread
- 7°
- Snow season
- Nov–Mar
- Daylight, mid-month
- 8 h 44 min
- Average wind
- 12 km/h
Neighbouring Towns
December averages · distance by the crow’s flight| Town | Distance | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CentretownOntario | 0 km NNE | -1° | -9° | 76 mm |
| The GlebeOntario | 1 km SE | -1° | -9° | 76 mm |
| HullQuebec | 2 km NNW | -2° | -9° | 77 mm |
| Sandy HillOntario | 2 km NE | -1° | -9° | 77 mm |
| Ottawa SouthOntario | 2 km SSE | -1° | -9° | 76 mm |
| LowertownOntario | 2 km N | -1° | -9° | 77 mm |
| HintonburgOntario | 2 km WSW | -1° | -9° | 76 mm |
| New EdinburghOntario | 3 km NNE | -1° | -9° | 77 mm |