February is one of the cooler months of the year in Ottawa, with average highs near -5.4°C and lows around -16.1°C (mean -10.7°C). It is one of the drier months, averaging 56 mm of rainfall and 95% relative humidity across the period.
February is one of the cooler months of the year in Ottawa. Across 45 years of records, the warmest February in Ottawa was 1981 — when the month averaged -4.8°C — while the coldest was 2015 at -18.6°C. Typical February days reach -5.4°C with nights near -16.1°C. The long-term trend is warming, about 0.2°C per decade.
February is one of the drier months in Ottawa, averaging 56 mm of rainfall. The wettest February on record was 2016 with 107 mm, while the driest was 2024 at 20 mm.
Relative humidity in Ottawa during February averages 95%. The most humid February was 1984 at 98%, and the least humid was 2024 at 85%.
February receives about 2.4 kWh/m²/day of solar energy in Ottawa. The sunniest February was 2007 at 2.9 kWh/m²/day, and the cloudiest were 2018 and 2023 at 2.1.
Average wind speed in Ottawa during February is 1.5 m/s. The windiest February was 2016 at 1.9 m/s, while the calmest were 1997, 2005 and 2021 at 1.3 m/s.
Ranked against the other 11 months using 1981–2025 averages.
| Metric | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s | 2020s | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | -10.7°C | -11.5°C | -10.8°C | -10.3°C | -9.8°C | +0.9°C |
| Avg High | -5.6°C | -6.1°C | -5.3°C | -5.1°C | -4.3°C | +1.3°C |
| Avg Low | -15.7°C | -17.0°C | -16.4°C | -15.5°C | -15.4°C | +0.3°C |
| Avg Rain | 57 mm | 57 mm | 53 mm | 57 mm | 53 mm | -5 mm |
February temperatures in Ottawa have fallen by about 0.5°C between 1981–1985 and 2021–2025.
February has ranged from a record low of -40.8°C (2023) to a record high of 18.1°C (2024).
Rainfall in February is one of the drier months, averaging 56 mm, with a wettest year of 107 mm.
A quieter season to visit Ottawa
If your dates are flexible, the more temperate months of July and August tend to be the most comfortable for visiting Ottawa. That said, February — with days averaging -5.4°C and nights around -16.1°C (mean -10.7°C) and moderate rainfall (56 mm) — can still be rewarding for travellers who don't mind the cooler conditions, and often means fewer crowds.
| Year | Avg High | Avg Temp | Avg Low | Hottest Day | Coldest Day | Rainfall | Humidity | Wind | Solar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | -7.0°C | -12.0°C | -17.1°C | 0.5°C | -27.4°C | 66 mm | 96% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2024 | -0.1°C | -5.3°C | -10.6°C | 18.1°C | -21.0°C | 20 mm | 85% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2023 | -3.7°C | -9.6°C | -15.5°C | 3.3°C | -40.8°C | 64 mm | 95% | 1.6 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2022 | -4.7°C | -11.1°C | -17.5°C | 3.5°C | -32.6°C | 66 mm | 94% | 1.8 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2021 | -5.8°C | -11.1°C | -16.5°C | 0.5°C | -30.9°C | 48 mm | 97% | 1.3 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2020 | -4.4°C | -9.8°C | -15.2°C | 0.6°C | -32.9°C | 52 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 |
| 2019 | -6.3°C | -11.8°C | -17.3°C | 0.8°C | -28.4°C | 70 mm | 97% | 1.7 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2018 | -1.4°C | -6.7°C | -12.0°C | 10.5°C | -25.7°C | 57 mm | 93% | 1.5 m/s | 2.1 |
| 2017 | -3.5°C | -8.0°C | -12.6°C | 5.3°C | -23.8°C | 81 mm | 96% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2016 🌧️ | -4.6°C | -10.3°C | -15.9°C | 5.3°C | -31.4°C | 107 mm | 90% | 1.9 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2015 ❄️ | -12.3°C | -18.6°C | -24.8°C | -4.1°C | -33.5°C | 34 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2014 | -7.2°C | -12.3°C | -17.4°C | 1.1°C | -28.5°C | 46 mm | 96% | 1.4 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2013 | -4.8°C | -9.6°C | -14.4°C | 2.7°C | -24.8°C | 52 mm | 90% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2012 | -2.8°C | -8.1°C | -13.5°C | 2.4°C | -24.6°C | 27 mm | 95% | 1.4 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2011 | -4.7°C | -10.3°C | -15.9°C | 4.9°C | -24.8°C | 54 mm | 92% | 1.6 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2010 | -3.7°C | -7.7°C | -11.7°C | 3.7°C | -24.7°C | 42 mm | 93% | 1.7 m/s | 2.4 |
| 2009 | -4.3°C | -9.8°C | -15.2°C | 6.3°C | -28.6°C | 56 mm | 94% | 1.6 m/s | 2.5 |
| 2008 | -5.4°C | -11.0°C | -16.6°C | 0.7°C | -29.4°C | 73 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 2.4 |
| 2007 | -8.5°C | -13.5°C | -18.6°C | -1.0°C | -30.2°C | 22 mm | 93% | 1.7 m/s | 2.9 |
| 2006 | -6.3°C | -11.2°C | -16.1°C | 1.0°C | -25.8°C | 80 mm | 96% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 |
| 2005 | -3.0°C | -8.2°C | -13.4°C | 3.1°C | -24.3°C | 37 mm | 90% | 1.3 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2004 | -5.1°C | -11.1°C | -17.0°C | 0.6°C | -35.7°C | 32 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 |
| 2003 | -9.4°C | -15.4°C | -21.3°C | 0.3°C | -37.7°C | 55 mm | 96% | 1.5 m/s | 2.7 |
| 2002 | -1.6°C | -7.6°C | -13.6°C | 9.3°C | -25.6°C | 52 mm | 92% | 1.7 m/s | 2.2 |
| 2001 | -5.4°C | -11.4°C | -17.3°C | 0.6°C | -29.5°C | 70 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 |
| 2000 | -3.6°C | -9.2°C | -14.9°C | 13.7°C | -30.1°C | 54 mm | 94% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 |
| 1999 | -3.3°C | -9.2°C | -15.0°C | 2.3°C | -28.2°C | 35 mm | 95% | 1.4 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1998 | -2.9°C | -7.6°C | -12.4°C | 0.5°C | -29.6°C | 27 mm | 97% | 1.4 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1997 | -5.8°C | -12.2°C | -18.5°C | 0.8°C | -34.4°C | 96 mm | 97% | 1.3 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1996 | -5.3°C | -10.2°C | -15.2°C | 6.4°C | -26.7°C | 69 mm | 90% | 1.6 m/s | 2.4 |
| 1995 | -7.0°C | -12.8°C | -18.5°C | 0.7°C | -30.5°C | 35 mm | 94% | 1.8 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1994 | -9.5°C | -14.7°C | -20.0°C | 0.9°C | -36.2°C | 53 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 2.7 |
| 1993 | -11.0°C | -16.9°C | -22.8°C | 0.2°C | -36.0°C | 59 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1992 | -6.7°C | -12.3°C | -17.9°C | 0.1°C | -34.1°C | 73 mm | 98% | 1.4 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1991 | -4.1°C | -9.2°C | -14.3°C | 0.4°C | -27.8°C | 47 mm | 97% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 |
| 1990 | -5.1°C | -10.4°C | -15.6°C | 2.0°C | -32.8°C | 77 mm | 95% | 1.6 m/s | 2.3 |
| 1989 | -7.1°C | -12.7°C | -18.2°C | 0.8°C | -30.9°C | 33 mm | 95% | 1.5 m/s | 2.6 |
| 1988 | -5.0°C | -10.7°C | -16.3°C | 6.1°C | -24.9°C | 75 mm | 92% | 1.7 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1987 | -7.7°C | -13.9°C | -20.0°C | -0.3°C | -34.5°C | 27 mm | 97% | 1.4 m/s | 2.5 |
| 1986 | -7.6°C | -12.6°C | -17.6°C | 0.3°C | -29.5°C | 32 mm | 97% | 1.4 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1985 | -6.2°C | -10.3°C | -14.5°C | 0.3°C | -27.2°C | 70 mm | 97% | 1.6 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1984 | -3.7°C | -7.5°C | -11.3°C | 1.4°C | -33.1°C | 72 mm | 98% | 1.5 m/s | 2.2 |
| 1983 | -5.3°C | -10.8°C | -16.2°C | 1.3°C | -32.3°C | 64 mm | 97% | 1.4 m/s | — |
| 1982 | -7.6°C | -13.0°C | -18.4°C | 0.3°C | -27.1°C | 39 mm | 97% | 1.4 m/s | — |
| 1981 🔥 | -0.5°C | -4.8°C | -9.0°C | 10.9°C | -33.5°C | 104 mm | 96% | 1.5 m/s | — |
Actual recorded February data for each year, 1981–2025 — sourced from NASA POWER.
The average high in February is around -5.4°C with lows near -16.1°C (mean -10.7°C), based on 45 years of NASA POWER data.
February averages 56 mm of rainfall in Ottawa, one of the drier months. The wettest on record was 107 mm in 2016.
The hottest February reached 18.1°C in 2024. The coldest dipped to -40.8°C in 2023.
Comparing the earliest years on record (1981–1985) with the most recent (2021–2025), average February temperatures have fallen by about 0.5°C — but days and nights have moved in opposite directions. Daytime highs rose from -4.7°C to -4.3°C while overnight lows fell from -13.9°C to -15.4°C, widening the gap between day and night.
February is one of the cooler months of the year in Ottawa and one of the drier months, so plan for around -5.4°C daytime highs and -16.1°C at night.
Not quite — February is the 2nd coolest month in Ottawa, averaging -10.7°C.
For February in Ottawa, pack warm layers and a jacket for chilly mornings, with typical highs of -5.4°C and lows of -16.1°C. Bring an umbrella or light rain jacket too.
Relative humidity in February averages 95% — quite humid.
Average wind speed in February is 1.5 m/s. The windiest February on record averaged 1.9 m/s (2016).
The wettest February on record was 2016 with 107 mm. On average, February sees 56 mm.
All figures are derived from NASA POWER (Prediction Of Worldwide Energy Resources), based on MERRA-2 satellite reanalysis, covering 1981–2025.
Explore how the weather in Ottawa behaves each February, based on 45 years of NASA POWER climate data from 1981 to 2025. This page breaks down average temperatures, rainfall, humidity, wind and solar radiation for February specifically, along with year-by-year records and how the month has changed over the decades.
