What is the weather like in Ottawa in May?

Expect temperatures between 8°C and 19°C with 26% average rain probability and about 8 hours of sunshine daily.

What is the weather like in Ottawa in May?

Ottawa in May scores 66/100 based on 30 years of climate data. Very good conditions overall.

Who should visit Ottawa in May?

May in Ottawa is ideal for: Families with children, Elderly travelers, Cultural tourists, Business travelers, Heat-sensitive visitors.

Ottawa Weather in May | 30-Year Forecast

Avg High

19°C

Hottest around day 29

Avg Low

8°C

Coolest around day 1

Rainy Days

17days

26% avg rain chance

Sunshine

8hrs/day

Spring 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

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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 May a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

👍Very good conditions overall(66/100)

Short Answer

May delivers Ottawa's best weather - 19°C days, rare rain (26%), and comfortable 67% humidity. Book accommodation early as this is well-known as an excellent period.

Decision Factors

Vaccinations required

Yellow Fever

Plenty of sunshine

9.8h of sunshine daily

Shoulder season - balanced conditions

65% of peak - good value with moderate crowds

Good For

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Families with children
Comfortable 18.6°C temperatures and low 26% rain risk
👴
Elderly travelers
Comfortable 18.6°C temperature range with manageable humidity
🏛️
Cultural tourists
Comfortable conditions for exploring museums and sites
💼
Business travelers
Climate-controlled meetings unaffected by weather
🌡️
Heat-sensitive visitors
Manageable 18.6°C without oppressive humidity

Who Should Avoid

Suitable for most traveler types

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA POWER satellite data,Ottawa in May averages 19°C with 26% precipitation probability."

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

Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa in May

What are the temperatures in Ottawa in May?

Daytime highs average 19°C, nights drop to 8°C. Temperatures remain fairly consistent.

How many rainy days in Ottawa in May?

Expect around 17 days with measurable rainfall. Rain is unlikely to disrupt plans.

What to wear in Ottawa in May?

Layers are key. A medium-weight jacket and closed-toe shoes.

Is May peak season in Ottawa?

This is shoulder season—moderate prices and manageable crowds.

Ottawa Weather in May

Ottawa May 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 May a Good Time to Visit Ottawa?

Decision Factors

Good For

Who Should Avoid

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions: Ottawa in May

What are the temperatures in Ottawa in May?

How many rainy days in Ottawa in May?

What to wear in Ottawa in May?

Is May peak season in Ottawa?