What is the weather like in Ottawa in December?

Expect temperatures between -8°C and -1°C with 28% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Ottawa in December?

Ottawa in December scores 59/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs.

Who should visit Ottawa in December?

December in Ottawa is ideal for: Business travelers.

Ottawa Weather in December | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

-1°C

Hottest around day 1

Avg Low

-8°C

Coolest around day 31

Rainy Days

24days

28% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Winter season

Essential Travel Info for Ottawa

🗓️ Best Time to Visit 📖 Travel Guide 🍴 Food Guide

Currency

CAD

$ Canadian dollar

Language

English

+1 more

Driving

Right side

Connect

The area codes for Ottawa are613and the ...

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.389

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Ottawa

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

unlock smart flight estimates

Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Airport traffic data & seasonal patterns

Moderate

48/ 100

Traffic Index

Balanced traffic

Peak Daily Arrivals

slots per day

Peak

Jul

Low

Jan

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

115

May

166

Jun

177

Jul

173

Aug

175

Sep

157

Oct

129

Nov

154

Dec

Traffic Level

Low Season

Key Connections

Toronto Pearson (YYZ)

Halifax Stanfield (YHZ)

Montreal Trudeau (YUL)

Newark Liberty (EWR)

Vancouver (YVR)

Health & Safety Advisory

CDC travel health recommendations

6 Recommendations

COVID-19

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please seeYour COVID-19 Vaccinationfor more information.

Hepatitis A

Consider hepatitis A vaccination for most travelers. It is recommended for travelers who will be doing higher risk activities, such as visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where a traveler might get infected through food or water. It is recommended for travelers who plan on eating street food.

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Canada. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Canada.

Measles

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according toCDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.

Rabies

Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Canada.Rabies is commonly found in some terrestrial wildlife species and bats.If rabies exposures occur while in Canada, rabies vaccines are typically available throughout most of the country.Rabies pre-exposure vaccination considerations include whether travelers 1) will be performing occupational or recreational activities that increase risk for exposure to potentially rabid animals and 2) might have difficulty getting prompt access to safe post-exposure prophylaxis.Please consult with a healthcare provider to determine whether you should receive pre-exposure vaccination before travel.For more information, seecountry rabies status assessments.

Yellow Fever

CDC recommendations:Vaccine isnotrecommended.Country entry requirements:Vaccine isnotrequired.Updated April 23, 2025

Source: CDC Travelers' Health

View Complete Health Guide

Is December a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

👌Worthwhile timing with some trade-offs(59/100)

Short Answer

Cold but characterful December in Ottawa: -1°C daytime temperatures, fewer crowds, and December-specific atmosphere. Not for sun-seekers, but ideal for cozy indoor experiences.

Decision Factors

Freezing temperatures

-0.9°C highs - pack warm winter gear

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Wind chill makes it feel colder

Feels like -6°C with 16.2km/h wind

Peak tourist season

87% of annual peak - expect crowds and high prices

Good For

💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather

Who Should Avoid

💰
Budget travelers
Peak season means premium prices everywhere
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families with children
-6°C too cold for comfortable family activities
👴
Elderly travelers
79% humidity creates difficult conditions
📸
Photographers
79% cloud cover limits natural light opportunities

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Ottawa in December averages -1°C with 28% precipitation probability."

📊 Source: 30YearWeather.com🛰️ Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)View Methodology →

Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa in December

What are the temperatures in Ottawa in December?

Daytime highs average -1°C, nights drop to -8°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Ottawa in December?

Expect around 24 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Ottawa in December?

Warm winter clothing: insulated jacket, boots, gloves.

Is December peak season in Ottawa?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Ottawa Weather in December

Ottawa December Weather Calendar

Essential Travel Info for Ottawa

Travel Intelligence

Smart Flight Estimator

Flight Connectivity Analysis

Monthly Traffic Distribution

Key Connections

Health & Safety Advisory

COVID-19

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis B

Measles

Rabies

Yellow Fever

Is December a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa in December

What are the temperatures in Ottawa in December?

How many rainy days in Ottawa in December?

What to wear in Ottawa in December?

Is December peak season in Ottawa?