Climate of Montreal

Montreal and southern Quebec lie at the confluence of several climatic regions. Usually, the climate is classified as humid continental or hemiboreal (Köppen climate classification.

Climate data for Montréal (Montréal-Trudeau Airport)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °C (°F)	13.9 (57.0)	15.0 (59.0)	25.6 (78.1)	30.0 (86.0)	33.9 (93.0)	35.0 (95.0)	35.6 (96.1)	37.6 (99.7)	33.5 (92.3)	28.3 (82.9)	21.7 (71.1)	18.0 (64.4)	37.6 (99.7)
Average high °C (°F)	−5.7 (21.7)	−3.9 (25.0)	2.2 (36.0)	10.7 (51.3)	19.0 (66.2)	23.6 (74.5)	26.2 (79.2)	24.8 (76.6)	19.7 (67.5)	12.7 (54.9)	5.3 (41.5)	−2.2 (28.0)	11.1
Average low °C (°F)	−14.7 (5.5)	−12.9 (8.8)	−6.7 (19.9)	0.6 (33.1)	7.7 (45.9)	12.7 (54.9)	15.6 (60.1)	14.3 (57.7)	9.4 (48.9)	3.4 (38.1)	−2.1 (28.2)	−10.4 (13.3)	1.4
Record low °C (°F)	−37.8 (−36.0)	−33.9 (−29.0)	−29.4 (−20.9)	−15 (5)	−4.4 (24.1)	0.0 (32.0)	6.1 (43.0)	3.3 (37.9)	−2.2 (28.0)	−7.2 (19.0)	−19.4 (−2.9)	−32.4 (−26.3)	−37.8 (−36.0)
Precipitation mm (inches)	78.3 (3.083)	61.5 (2.421)	73.6 (2.898)	78.0 (3.071)	76.3 (3.004)	83.1 (3.272)	91.3 (3.594)	92.7 (3.65)	92.6 (3.646)	77.8 (3.063)	92.6 (3.646)	81.3 (3.201)	978.9 (38.539)
Rainfall mm (inches)	27.2 (1.071)	19.8 (0.78)	35.8 (1.409)	63.9 (2.516)	76.1 (2.996)	83.1 (3.272)	91.3 (3.594)	92.7 (3.65)	92.6 (3.646)	75.4 (2.969)	71.2 (2.803)	35.1 (1.382)	763.8 (30.071)
Snowfall cm (inches)	52.5 (20.67)	43.3 (17.05)	36 (14.2)	13.1 (5.16)	0.2 (0.08)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	0 (0)	2.2 (0.87)	21.9 (8.62)	48.3 (19.02)	217.5 (85.63)
Avg. precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	16.9	13.2	13.7	12.8	13.0	13.1	12.1	12.3	12.0	13.2	15.0	16.0	163.3
Avg. rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)	4.3	4.2	7.2	11.3	12.9	13.1	12.1	12.3	12.0	12.7	11.2	6.1	119.4
Avg. snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)	15.7	11.6	9.3	3.5	0.1	0	0	0	0	1.0	6.0	13.1	60.3
Sunshine hours	101.6	123.9	158.9	173.3	229.7	245.5	274.3	240.5	174.6	140.0	86.1	80.2	2,028.6
Source: Environment Canada [1]

Winter

Winter in Montreal is often very cold, snowy and windy at times. Most days stay below freezing, with well below freezing at night. Sometimes with windchill, temperatures may feel colder than actual temperature. Typical winter daytime temperatures brings between -2 to -6°C (22 - 28°F) and overnight temperatures between -10 to -15°C (6 - 13°F). However, some days could be milder and temperatures staying above freezing, as well as some nights temperatures could remain below -20°C (-4°F), especially with windchill. Montreal receives plenty of snow throughout the winter season. Snow mainly falls between mid-November thru Mid-March, although it mostly snows in January and February. Although not very common, light snow could fall in October and April. Average yearly snowfall is 218 cm (86 inches). Despite plenty of snow during winter, Montreal still sees plenty of days with sunshine compared to other places at similar latitude, or even somewhat farther south, and more winter sunshine than anywhere else in northern and northwestern Europe. Precipitation occurs between 13 - 17 days per month, including an average of 60 days of snowfall.

Spring

Spring in Montreal range from chilly to occasionally warm weather. Daytime temperatures could be anywhere between 2 - 19°C (36 - 66°F), some days even between 20 - 25°C (68 - 77°F) especially in late April and May. Average nighttime temperatures could range from -7°C (20°F) in early March, to 8°C (46°F) by mid-spring. However, some spring nights could remain warmer than 10°C (50°F). Spring is slightly more sunnier than autumn. Precipitation occurs about 12 - 14 days per month.

Summer

Summer months of early June thru mid-september brings warm, to occasionally hot and humid weather. Average daytime temperatures stay between 24 - 26°C (75 - 79°F) and overnight temperatures between 13 - 16°C (55 - 60°F). However, many days temperatures could stay above 30°C (86°F), combined with occasional high humidity, it could feel much hotter. Some nights, temperatures could stay at an uncomfortable temperature of about 20°C (68°F) with air condation in need. While summer is the sunniest season, short-lived thunderstorms are also common. Rain typically occurs on average 12 - 13 days per month.

Autumn

Similar to springtime weather-wise, temperatures start to cool off towards the end of September, allowing for brilliant fall foliage in October. Daytime temperatures are between 5 - 20°C (42 - 68°F) and overnight temperatures of -2 to 9°C (28 - 49°F). Late autumn receives slightly less sunshine than early spring. Precipitation occurs about 12 - 15 days per month.

Sunshine

Montreal and southern Quebec region receives slightly over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, with summer being the sunniest season. The sunniest month is July with 274 hours, and least sunniest is December with 80 hours. Montreal receives more sunshine than northern and northwestern Europe, even in locations at similar or even somewhat farther south latitudes, especially during winter and throughout the year.

Precipitation

The city's average precipitation is 979 mm (38.5 inches), including 216 cm (85 inches) of snow. Like rest of the Northeastern U.S. and most of Southeastern Canada, precipitation is spread evenly throughout the year, with no wet or dry seasons. Montreal has 163 days annually with some rain or snow. Thunderstorm could occur anywhere between late spring thru early autumn.

References

1. ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1971-2000". http://www.climate.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_e.html?Province=ALL&StationName=montreal&SearchType=BeginsWith&LocateBy=Province&Proximity=25&ProximityFrom=City&StationNumber=&IDType=MSC&CityName=&ParkName=&LatitudeDegrees=&LatitudeMinutes=&LongitudeDegrees=&LongitudeMinutes=&NormalsClass=A&SelNormals=&StnId=5415&. Retrieved 2006-12-18.