Question 1

What were the temperature extremes in Montreal in 2025?

Accepted Answer

Montreal swung between a scorching high of **35.0°C (95.0°F)** and a bitter low of **-27.3°C (-17.1°F)** in 2025, giving the city an enormous annual temperature range of 62.3°C (112.1°F).

The hottest day of the year arrived on June 23, 2025, when the temperature peaked at 35.0°C (95.0°F). The coldest reading came on February 2, 2025, when the thermometer plunged to -27.3°C (-17.1°F) — the same day Montreal recorded its lowest daily average of -18.6°C (-1.5°F).

These extremes were not isolated spikes. During 2025, Montreal saw:

- **19 days** with highs at or above 30°C (86°F), including **8 days** reaching 32.2°C (90°F) or hotter
- **11 days** with lows at or below -20°C (-4°F)
- **77 "ice days"** where the temperature never climbed above freezing (0°C / 32°F)

Across the full year, Montreal's average temperature settled at a moderate 6.9°C (44.4°F), reflecting the city's humid continental climate.

For visitors and residents, this wide swing means Montreal demands a genuinely four-season wardrobe: lightweight, breathable clothing for the intense summer heat of June through August, and serious cold-weather gear for the deep winter freezes of January and February. Planning outdoor activities around these temperature patterns is essential, as conditions in 2025 ranged from heatwave-level summer afternoons to dangerously cold winter nights.

Question 2

How cold does Montreal get in winter?

Accepted Answer

Montreal gets genuinely cold in winter, with average temperatures sitting well below freezing throughout the season. During Winter 2024/25 (December 2024 to February 2025), the city averaged **-8.0°C (17.6°F)** across the three meteorological winter months.

The cold deepened as the season progressed. December 2024 was the mildest month with a mean of -5.0°C (23.0°F), but conditions turned harsher in the new year, with January 2025 averaging -9.3°C (15.3°F) and February 2025 the coldest at -9.7°C (14.5°F).

Montreal also saw some extreme cold snaps. The lowest temperature of the season reached **-27.3°C (-17.1°F)** in February 2025, while January bottomed out at -23.2°C (-9.7°F). Even so, there were brief thaws, with December 2024 recording a high of 10.1°C (50.2°F).

Winter in Montreal is also a wet and snowy season. The city received **172.8mm (6.8 inches)** of total precipitation across Winter 2024/25, much of it falling as snow given the consistently sub-zero temperatures.

For visitors and residents, these numbers mean serious winter gear is essential from January through February, when daytime temperatures often stay below -9°C (16°F). The cold is dry and crisp rather than damp, making Montreal a classic destination for winter activities like ice skating, skiing, and snowshoeing — just be prepared for the deep freeze that defines its character.

Question 3

What is the sunniest time of year in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

The sunniest time of year in Montreal is summer, with July 2025 being the brightest month at 368.8 hours of sunshine — roughly 11.9 hours of sun per day.

Montreal recorded 2,371.4 total sunshine hours across 2025. The summer months (June to August) alone delivered 1,027.1 hours, accounting for about 43% of the city's annual sunshine. August was a close second to July with 363.9 hours (about 11.7 hours per day), and the bright stretch carried into early autumn, with September adding another 302.7 hours.

This summer sunshine paired with warm, comfortable temperatures. July 2025 averaged 22.4°C (72.3°F) and August averaged 20.5°C (68.9°F), making these the most reliable months for sunny, outdoor-friendly conditions in Montreal.

By contrast, the darkest part of the year was late autumn and early winter: November 2025 saw just 70.4 hours of sunshine, followed by December at 82.5 hours — less than a quarter of July's total.

For visitors planning around sunshine, the takeaway is clear: aim for July through September if you want the longest, brightest days in Montreal. These months combine peak sunshine with pleasant warmth, ideal for festivals, terrace dining, and exploring the city's parks. If you prefer cooler weather but still want plenty of light, September is an excellent compromise, offering over 300 hours of sun with milder average temperatures of 16.4°C (61.5°F).

Question 4

Which season is the wettest in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Spring is the wettest season in Montreal, with the city receiving about 478 mm (18.8 in) of precipitation across March, April, and May 2025 — more than any other meteorological season.

Using full-year 2025 data, Montreal's precipitation broke down by season as follows:

- **Spring (March–May 2025):** 477.5 mm (18.8 in)
- **Summer (June–August 2025):** 429.6 mm (16.9 in)
- **Autumn (September–November 2025):** 381.1 mm (15.0 in)
- **Winter (January–February 2025):** 97.0 mm (3.8 in)

April and May were especially wet, each delivering roughly 182–189 mm (7.2–7.4 in), as melting snow combined with spring rains. The single wettest month overall was July 2025 at 199.2 mm (7.8 in), but spring's three months together still edged out summer. Across all of 2025, Montreal recorded a hefty 1,493 mm (58.8 in) of total precipitation.

For visitors and residents, this means spring in Montreal is reliably damp, so waterproof footwear and an umbrella are wise from March through May. The drier stretch falls in late summer into early autumn, with September standing out as the calmest month at just 56 mm (2.2 in). Note that winter's low rainfall total reflects precipitation measured as liquid; much of Montreal's cold-season moisture falls as snow, so the season still feels far from dry on the ground.

Question 5

Which months are the windiest in Montreal?

Accepted Answer

Montreal is windiest in late autumn and early winter, with **December 2025** taking the top spot at an average wind speed of 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph). Across the full year, the city averaged a moderate 13.6 km/h (8.5 mph), so the cold-season months stand out as noticeably breezier.

The three windiest months of 2025 in Montreal were:

- **December:** 17.0 km/h (10.6 mph)
- **April:** 15.8 km/h (9.8 mph)
- **November:** 15.5 km/h (9.6 mph)

This pattern reflects the strong pressure systems and cold fronts that sweep across the St. Lawrence valley during the transition into winter and the thaw of early spring. By contrast, the calmest stretch came in late summer and early fall: **September 2025** was the most settled month at just 10.6 km/h (6.6 mph), followed by the gentle conditions of July and August, both near 12 km/h (7.5 mph).

For visitors and residents, these wind conditions in Montreal matter most in combination with temperature. The strongest winds arrive when temperatures are already near or below freezing in November and December, sharpening the wind chill on exposed streets. If you prefer calmer, more comfortable outdoor weather, the lighter winds of September make early fall one of the most pleasant times to explore Montreal on foot or by bike.

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FAQ

What were the temperature extremes in Montreal in 2025?

How cold does Montreal get in winter?

What is the sunniest time of year in Montreal?

Which season is the wettest in Montreal?

Which months are the windiest in Montreal?