The best time to visit Montréal is from June to September: 21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F) in the afternoon, patios everywhere and an almost uninterrupted festival season. The first half of October is ideal for fall colors on Mount Royal and in the Laurentians. From December to March, the city lives under snow, with highs below freezing: a trip of its own, best for well-equipped winter lovers. Below: Montréal’s climate month by month, the festivals and the best time depending on your plans.
Montréal has a humid continental climate: hot, fairly stormy summers, long, cold and snowy winters, and two short shoulder seasons. Unlike many destinations, there is no « rainy season »: between 65 and 105 mm (4.1 in) of precipitation falls every month. What changes is its form (snow from November to April) and above all the temperature, which goes from −5 °C (23 °F) in the afternoon in January to nearly 27 °C (81 °F) in July. The choice of period therefore depends on what you are after: festivals, nature, colors or winter. Here is how to decide, based on the official normals of Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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When to go to Montréal at a glance
- Best time June to September
- Fall colors generally from late September to mid-October, depending on the year
- Hottest month July, with an average high of 26.7 °C (80 °F)
- Coldest month January, with an average high of −5.0 °C (23 °F) and an average low of −13.5 °C (8 °F)
- Snow about 52 cm (20.5 in) in January and 48 cm (18.9 in) in December on average
- Wettest month October (103 mm (4.1 in)), but the differences between months are small
- Cheapest period November and January to April, outside school breaks and winter festivals
When to go to Montréal by priority
- Best weather: June to September (21 to 27 °C (70 to 81 °F) in the afternoon); the first half of October for fall colors
- Cheapest: November and January to April, outside school breaks and winter festivals
- Fewest crowds: May, September and November
- Events: Igloofest in January–February, Quebec’s National Holiday on June 24, Montréal International Jazz Festival in late June to early July, Grand Prix in May or June depending on the year
- Other destinations: see our ideas for where to go in September
Montreal: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: June, July, August, September, October
❌ Period to avoid: April, November
Climate in Montréal month by month
The table uses the normals of the Montréal-Trudeau station, the international airport, on the west of the island. The precipitation shown is the total: it adds rain and melted snow (water equivalent).
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Precipitation | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | −5.0 °C (23 °F) | −13.5 °C (8 °F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Deep cold and snow: for winter lovers |
| February | −3.4 °C (26 °F) | −12.4 °C (10 °F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | Moderate (winter festivals) | Moderate | ⚠️ Dry cold, Igloofest and Montréal en lumière |
| March | 2.4 °C (36 °F) | −6.5 °C (20 °F) | 77 mm (3.0 in) | Low to moderate | Low | ⚠️ Thaw, start of sugaring-off season |
| April | 11.3 °C (52 °F) | 1.1 °C (34 °F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Snowmelt, city still gray |
| May | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 8.3 °C (47 °F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Mild, trees in bloom, patios reopening |
| June | 24.2 °C (76 °F) | 13.8 °C (57 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | High | High | ✅ Long days, start of the festivals |
| July | 26.7 °C (80 °F) | 16.7 °C (62 °F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | Very high | Very high | ✅ Warm, festivals, high season |
| August | 25.7 °C (78 °F) | 15.6 °C (60 °F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | Very high | Very high | ✅ Warm and lively, thunderstorms possible |
| September | 21.1 °C (70 °F) | 10.9 °C (52 °F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ The best compromise |
| October | 13.2 °C (56 °F) | 4.5 °C (40 °F) | 103 mm (4.1 in) | Moderate (early in the month) | Moderate | ✅ Fall colors in the first half |
| November | 6.1 °C (43 °F) | −1.7 °C (29 °F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Gray, cold, first snows |
| December | −1.2 °C (30 °F) | −8.7 °C (16 °F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | Moderate (holidays) | Moderate → high | ⚠️ Cold, snow, holiday atmosphere |
Worth noting: according to the same normals, Montréal has about 17 days of precipitation in January and 11 in August. Snow generally starts in November (16 cm (6.3 in) on average) and can still fall in April (15 cm (5.9 in)). In winter, wind makes the felt cold much sharper than the displayed temperature.
Montréal’s seasons: pros and cons
Summer (June to August): festival season
From June to August, Montréal changes face: pedestrian streets fill with patios, parks fill up and festivals follow one another in the Quartier des spectacles. Highs hover around 24 to 27 °C (75 to 81 °F), with hot, humid days and late-afternoon thunderstorms. Nights stay pleasant (14 to 17 °C (57 to 63 °F)). It is also vacation time in Quebec and the United States: downtown hotels are full and expensive.
- Pros: warmth, long evenings, free outdoor festivals, Mount Royal and the Lachine Canal at their best, easy excursions to Quebec City and the parks
- Cons: high accommodation prices, spells of humid heat, mosquitoes in forests as soon as you leave the city
- Our tip: book early if you are aiming for the Jazz Festival dates, in late June and early July
Fall (September to November): mild weather, then colors
September extends the summer (21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon) with far fewer people. In late September and in October, the maples of Mount Royal, the Laurentians and the Eastern Townships turn red and orange: the exact date of the peak varies by year and latitude. Nights cool quickly (4.5 °C (40 °F) average minimum in October). November is the dullest month: bare trees, gray skies, first flurries.
- Pros: falling prices, city still lively in September, spectacular colors less than two hours’ drive away
- Cons: October is the wettest month (103 mm (4.1 in)), days getting shorter, gray November
- Our tip: from mid-September to mid-October, combine Montréal with a weekend in the Laurentians
Winter (December to March): Montréal under snow
Winter is long and harsh: the average high stays below freezing from December to February and nights drop to about −13 °C (9 °F) in January. Yet the city is well adapted: outdoor skating rinks, cross-country ski and snowshoe trails on Mount Royal, and an underground pedestrian network linking metro stations, galleries and shopping centers downtown. The winter festivals (Igloofest, Montréal en lumière) draw big crowds in January and February.
- Pros: snowy landscapes, winter activities, low prices in January, festive Christmas and New Year
- Cons: deep cold, wind, icy sidewalks, short days, specific gear essential
- Who is it for? Travelers who want to live a real northern winter, combining the city with skiing or snowmobiling
Spring (April–May): a short season
March and April are transition months: snow melts, streets are muddy and vegetation stays gray until the end of April. It is also sugaring-off season: sugar shacks around Montréal serve their traditional meals at the time of the maple sap harvest, generally from March to April. In May, the city turns green again, trees blossom and patios reopen (19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon).
- Pros: low prices, sugar shacks, a very pleasant May
- Cons: unsettled weather, often dreary April, nature still dormant outside the city
- Our tip: aim for the second half of May for a city break at still-reasonable prices
When to go to Montréal by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| City break and sightseeing | May to October | Old Montréal, the Plateau, Mount Royal, museums |
| Festivals | June to August; January–February for winter | Quartier des spectacles, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Old Port |
| Fall colors | Late September to mid-October | Mount Royal, Laurentians, Eastern Townships |
| Winter sports | December to March | Mount Royal (cross-country skiing, skating), Laurentians (downhill skiing) |
| Sugar shacks | March–April | Countryside around Montréal |
| Combined with Quebec City and nature | June to mid-October | Quebec City, Charlevoix, Mauricie |
| Budget | November, January to April (outside school breaks) | Everywhere |
Major events in Montréal
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January–February (weekends) | Igloofest, outdoor electronic music festival | Old Port |
| February–March | Montréal en lumière and the Nuit blanche | Quartier des spectacles and across the city |
| March–April | Sugaring-off season in the sugar shacks | Countryside around Montréal |
| May or June, depending on the year | Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix | Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, Parc Jean-Drapeau |
| June 24 | Quebec’s National Holiday (Saint-Jean-Baptiste) | Citywide |
| Late June – early July | Montréal International Jazz Festival | Quartier des spectacles |
| July | Just For Laughs festival | Quartier des spectacles |
| Summer | Fireworks and neighborhood festivals | La Ronde, Old Port, pedestrian streets |
| Late September – October | Fall color season | Mount Royal, Laurentians |
Montréal month by month: what to expect
Montréal in January: The coldest month (−5 °C (23 °F) in the afternoon, −13.5 °C (8 °F) at night) and the snowiest (52 cm (20.5 in)). Low prices, skating rinks and Igloofest for those who like winter.
Montréal in February: Still freezing but a little drier (66 mm (2.6 in)). Montréal en lumière enlivens downtown; school breaks push up prices in the resorts.
Montréal in March: The thaw begins (2.4 °C (36 °F) in the afternoon). Snow still frequent (37 cm (14.6 in)). Late in the month: sugar shacks open.
Montréal in April: Snowmelt, muddy streets, gray nature. The least attractive month, but the cheapest. Sugar shacks until the end of the season.
Montréal in May: The city turns green again (19 °C (66 °F)). Trees in bloom, patios open, few tourists. Pack a jacket for evenings.
Montréal in June: Long days (24 °C (75 °F)). Start of the festivals, National Holiday on the 24th. An excellent month before the high season.
Montréal in July: The warmest (26.7 °C (80 °F)) and liveliest month. Jazz Festival, Just For Laughs, packed patios. Book early.
Montréal in August: Still warm (25.7 °C (78 °F)), sometimes humid and stormy. Summer vacations: high crowds and prices until Labour Day.
Montréal in September: The best compromise: 21 °C (70 °F), fewer people, falling prices. First colors late in the month.
Montréal in October: Fall colors in the first half, cool nights (4.5 °C (40 °F)). The wettest month (103 mm (4.1 in)), but in showers.
Montréal in November: Gray and cold (6 °C (43 °F)), first snows. Low season: museums and restaurants without the crowds.
Montréal in December: Snow (48 cm (18.9 in)), highs below freezing, holiday atmosphere and Christmas markets. Prices rise around New Year.
When to book your stay in Montréal
For July and August, and especially for the dates of the Jazz Festival and the Grand Prix, book your accommodation 3 to 5 months ahead: downtown supply fills quickly and prices soar. For September and October, two to three months is generally enough. In winter outside the holidays, a few weeks may be enough.
Montréal-Trudeau International Airport is the main gateway to the city. Prices are highest in summer and during peak holiday periods: book several months ahead for those dates.
Planning your stay in Montréal
- Entry requirements: visa and travel authorization rules depend on your nationality: see the entry requirements for Canada.
- Time difference: Montréal is on UTC−5 (UTC−4 in summer), the same as New York and 5 hours behind London most of the year; the gap changes for a few weeks in spring and fall because clock changes do not happen on the same dates.
- Currency: the Canadian dollar. Our currency converter helps you estimate your budget.
- Health: GOV.UK (updated 2 June 2026) says to have travel insurance that covers local treatment and unexpected medical evacuation, and lists biting insects and ticks among the health risks in Canada: protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes in forests.
- Winter gear: from December to March, pack a warm coat, hat, gloves, base layers and waterproof boots with non-slip soles.
To plan your visit, see our Montréal travel guide. To widen your trip, see our Quebec guide, the page when to go to Canada and our Canada travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Montréal?
September offers the best compromise: about 21 °C (70 °F) in the afternoon, fewer people than in summer and falling prices. June, July and August are perfect for festivals and patio life, but pricier.
When can you see fall colors in Montréal?
Generally between late September and mid-October. The peak varies from year to year and arrives a little earlier in the Laurentians, further north and at altitude, than on Mount Royal.
Is Montréal very cold in winter?
Yes: in January, the average high is −5 °C (23 °F) and the average low −13.5 °C (8 °F), according to the 1991–2020 normals of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Wind sharpens the feeling of cold. The city remains livable thanks to its underground network and winter activities.
How much snow falls in Montréal?
About 52 cm (20.5 in) in January, 48 cm (18.9 in) in December and 47 cm (18.5 in) in February on average. It can snow from November to April.
When is the cheapest time to go to Montréal?
In November and from January to April, avoiding school breaks, the year-end holidays and the dates of the winter festivals.
Can you visit Montréal in April?
Yes, but it is the least pleasant period: melting snow, gray nature, unsettled weather. Its asset is sugaring-off season in the sugar shacks, and prices are low.
What is the climate in Montréal?
Humid continental: hot summers (26.7 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon in July), long snowy winters (−5.0 °C (23 °F) in the afternoon in January, −13.5 °C (8 °F) at night), according to the 1991–2020 normals of Environment and Climate Change Canada at Montréal-Trudeau. Precipitation (rain or snow) ranges from 66 to 103 mm (2.6 to 4.1 in) a month.
What is the weather like in Montréal in October?
Cool: 13.2 °C (56 °F) in the afternoon and 4.5 °C (40 °F) at night on average, and it is the wettest month (103 mm (4.1 in)). The first half is best for fall colors. See also where to go in October.
Montréal or Vancouver: which city in winter?
Vancouver is much milder (7 to 8 °C (45 to 46 °F) in the afternoon) but very rainy; Montréal is cold and snowy, ideal for winter activities. Compare with when to go to Vancouver.
Our sources
- Environment and Climate Change Canada: 1991–2020 climate normals for the Montréal-Trudeau station
- Health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Canada (GOV.UK, updated 2 June 2026)
- Tourisme Montréal, Just For Laughs Montréal 2026 festival page (mtl.org), checked 11 November 2026: festival held in July
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
