Best time to go to Montreal Average weather of Montreal, Quebec
Lucie Lhortolat and Tony Samson last update: 27/05/2024When is the best time to go to Montreal?
According to the visitor's aspirations and expectations, the city of Montreal is suitable for tourist visits all year round.
- To visit Montreal under clear skies and pleasant warmth, the summer season should be favored. Indeed, the best time to visit Montreal is during the months of June to August, when the weather is most pleasant. During this period, travelers flock from all over the world to enjoy the sun and attend various cultural events such as the Montreal International Jazz Festival or the Just for Laughs festival. Of course, with this high influx of visitors, one should expect a higher travel budget, due to increased prices, whether for flights or accommodation.
- Thus, late spring can be a good option for a stay in Montreal. In May, the weather is mild and pleasant with temperatures ranging from around 15 to 20°C (68°F) . However, it is advisable to avoid the month of March, still very cold, and the month of April when melting snow invades the streets.
- Furthermore, one of the periods to consider for visiting Montreal is early autumn, during Indian summer. At this time, the trees display warm colors, offering colorful landscapes worthy of the most beautiful postcards. The weather is pleasant in September and remains decent in October, even though temperatures drop and precipitation increases. The Halloween period is often popular with tourists.
- Finally, if you are wondering when to visit Montreal, winter can also be a good idea. You can discover a snowy but particularly festive city. Indeed, Montreal shines with a thousand colors as Christmas and New Year approach. Moreover, numerous festivals are organized between the months of December and March. Winter is also the ideal time to engage in typical activities such as ice skating or snowmobiling.
So, when is the best time to go to Montreal? Here's some more information to help you in your decision:
- The best months for good weather in Montreal are May, June, July, August and September
- On average, the warmest months are July and August
- The coldest months are January and February
- The rainiest months are April, May, June, July, August, October and December
Annual weather in Montreal
Weather details in Montreal month by month
Weather and climate in Montreal
French-speaking city in Canada located in the province of Quebec, Montreal has a continental climate. Known for its icy winters and scorching summers, the city experiences significant climate differences throughout the seasons. However, each season in Montreal has its own peculiarities and charm.
Montreal in Summer
Summer in Montreal can be particularly hot, with temperatures rising to over 30°C (86°F) . The contrast between winter and summer is thus very impressive.
In July and August, average temperatures range between 23 and 26°C (79°F) , hardly dropping at night. The hottest month of the year is usually July.
If you travel during this period, you will find a permanent blue sky and a high rate of sunshine.
Indeed, rain is quite rare during this season, as it is in the neighboring cities of Ottawa and Quebec City. Undoubtedly, this is the most favorable period in terms of climate in Montreal.
Montreal in Winter
While summers are almost sweltering, winters in Montreal are truly icy.
Indeed, the climate in eastern Canada is influenced by the Jet Stream, a cold current that brings polar air to this region. Moreover, the mild air from western Canada is blocked by the Canadian Rockies. Thus, Quebec has a particularly cold climate compared to the rest of the country.
It is not uncommon to see temperatures drop to -35°C. Nevertheless, the average temperatures range between 0 and -10 °C from December to March.
Snow and frost are constant features of Montreal's winter climate. Furthermore, the season is very long, extending from late October to late April.
However, the sky is very sunny during this period. These particular weather conditions do not prevent enjoying the city.
Everything is designed so that life goes on despite the negative temperatures. In Montreal, you will find a large underground network with shops and restaurants.
Montreal in Spring
Spring in Montreal extends from March to May, with temperatures slowly rising after winter and snow melting by the end of March. However, snowfall can return in April.
Thus, the weather in Montreal during spring resembles an ongoing battle between winter and summer. Sometimes, temperature differences of 20°C (68°F) can be experienced from one day to the next. Generally, temperatures are below 5°C (41°F) in March and close to 15-20 °C in May.
The period from March to April is not very popular with locals themselves because of the "sloppy" conditions. Indeed, a large amount of melting snow is present in the city streets.
Therefore, if you wish to travel in spring, May will probably be preferable for your stay in Montreal, offering more photogenic landscapes and a milder climate.
Montreal in Autumn
Cooler than in summer, Montreal's climate in autumn is nevertheless very pleasant. At the beginning of the season, we enjoy the famous Indian summer.
Temperatures are mild, often exceeding 20°C (68°F) in September, despite a gradual cooling at night.
However, over the weeks, starting from mid-October, disturbances become more frequent, and the cold gradually sets in. In October, the temperature is around 10°C (50°F) and 5 °C in November.
Moreover, the month of November generally marks the arrival of the first snowfalls.
The period to favor for a trip to Montreal is therefore more early autumn until mid-October. This is when you can discover the famous Indian summer landscapes, when the trees are adorned with a thousand colors.
Charts: temperature and rainfall in Montreal
In the charts below, you can see the following seasonal norms for the city of Montreal: the minimum and maximum outdoor temperature, the risk and amount of monthly rainfall, daily average sunshine, and relative humidity for each month of the year.
Outside temperature
Precipitation (rainfall)
Daily sunshine hours
Humidity
Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Montreal
Find out when Montreal has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.
Tourist seasons in Montreal
- Very low season in Montreal
The months with the lowest number of tourists are: January, February, March and November. - Low season in Montreal
The months with low numbers of tourists are: April and December. - High season in Montreal
The number of visitors to Montreal is high in: May, June, July, September and October. - Peak season in Montreal
The largest number of tourists visiting Montreal is during: August.
Figure: Visitor index for Montreal month by month
Best time for low prices in Montreal
Average prices of hotels in Montreal month by month
Generally, February is the month with the lowest hotel prices in Montreal. So this is a great time to save on your holiday! In contrast, August is statistically the most expensive month of the year for hotels.
Find the best price for your hotel room
Average price for flights to Montreal
A return flight between London and Montreal is generally cheaper if you go in september ($ 514 on average): this is the best time for travellers on a tight budget. In contrast, you may end up paying $ 269 more for your airline ticket to Montreal if you go in august.
Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Montreal
Average price of hiring a car in Montreal
On average, it costs $ 80 per day to hire a car in Montreal. This price varies by $ 67 depending on the month. In march, hiring a car costs an average of $ 62 per 24 hours, so this is the best time to save money! In contrast, the average price in july is $ 129.
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