Montreal, Canada experiences a confluence of several climatic conditions, with the temperature being described as typical humid continental/semi-continental climate or more appropriately, hemi boreal. The weather conditions of Montreal are somewhat similar to the climatic conditions in Sapporo, Japan. The summers in Montreal are warm and humid on an average, with extremely cold winters. Sever winter conditions experience snow depths greater than 1 cm on approximately about 109 days every year. Also, Montreal has a sunny climate too. The summers aren't very short and last a considerable amount of time.
The precipitation experienced over the year in Montreal is ample, with an average snowfall estimated to be about 226.2 cm throughout the year. Summer is accounted as the wettest and sunniest month of the year, recording rainfall of about 785 mm. The city is at its coldest during the month of January and due to wind chills most often experienced at night, the perceived temperature is usually much lower than the actual, measured temperature. Also, the warmest month through the year is July, which experiences a high level of humidity. The high humidity makes the perceived weather seem warmer than the actual existing temperature. There is considerable rainfall during spring and autumn as well, and some snow during this time is quite common. Receiving about 2000 hours of sunshine annually, the sunniest month that the city sees is July with about 272 hours of sunshine and the least sunny month is estimated as December with only about 84 hours of sunshine.
The city experiences cold weather starting in the month of December, with winter conditions lasting until mid-March. Starting March, the roads start accumulating slurry and slush, with the snow starting to melt gradually. Come April, Montreal starts experiencing spring like conditions and by June, the city is green and blooming in colour. With June, the temperatures start to gradually increase with summer just around the corner, and this season marks the arrival of the tourist season in full swing. Summer extends right from June to mid-September when temperatures start dipping gradually. Late September to late November marks the season of fall, a lovely season to experience the most pleasant climate Montreal has ever seen. The city takes over a whole new look and gets ready to celebrate the many autumn festivals that people all over Quebec look forward to.
Winter weather in Montreal
Be aware the winter in Canada reaches very cold temperatures but winter in Montreal can lso be an excellent choice for travel; as the city takes on a nostalgic sense of magic and warmth. Tourists and locals brave the icy cold conditions and come together to enjoy the season. Taking part in exciting winter activities definitely makes you feel like a kid again, and Montreal celebrates several numbers of days during winter in the form of winter activities, festivals, events and shows to welcome the cold season. December to March in Montreal is a perfect time to indulge in the joys of this magical season, either on Old Montreal, along the banks of the majestic St. Lawrence river, or at one of the city's incredible view points, or to just laze about and enjoy some gorgeous food in one of the many fantastic eateries that exist in the city.
Montreal's winter can be cold, snowy and windy, with temperatures mostly reaching well below freezing conditions past dusk. During the winter, which normally extends from the month of December until early March, temperatures can range anywhere between -15 degrees Celsius during nights to about 2 degrees Celsius in the daytime. With the city receiving heavy snowfall in the winter, the heaviest snowfall can be seen during the months of January and February. The city sees more sunshine during winter as compared to any other city at similar latitudes during winter time. With about 13 to 17 days of precipitation including rainfall and snow in a month, the city experiences about 59 days of snowfall.
Spring weather in Montreal
When spring arrives in Montreal, the remains of ice and snow slowly melt away giving way to a fresh season of life, greenery and bloom. This is when people start emerging out of their homes after a long harsh winter at home, to enjoy the beauty of warm sunshine and lovely spring weather. Squirrels make their way back to Montreal during the season, and you encounter several of them as you tread outdoors to enjoy a long evening walk. The wind is not as painful and cold as it was during the winter and for the first time in months, the breeze seems pleasant. Festival season begins in Montreal, with the first set of tourists beginning to enter the city. The early months of Spring can be lovely, yet experience strong pre-spring weather conditions like heavy snowfall occasionally.
Spring features anywhere between chilly and warm weather with temperatures hovering around 2 to 15 degrees Celsius. This unpredictable weather begins in mid-March and the temperatures start increasing gradually as the months progress. Spring in Montreal officially lies between the months of March and late May and features right, sunny weather. During the spring season, Montreal experiences a precipitation level ranging between an average of 12 to 14 days per month. The spring in Montreal is usually a time that is best to visit a botanical garden and see magical butterflies of all kinds flutter around. This is the enjoyable season of April rainfall / May showers, of beautiful May flowers and the season where Montreal's ice cream shops resume regular business!
Summer weather in Montreal
Summer in Montreal is when the tourist season really reaches its peak, prices soar and temperatures start warming up considerably. Summer usually ranges from the months of June to late September and July is considered as the hottest month of the season. The wettest month is August, with about 100 mm of rainfall. With the warm, summer temperatures, exploring on foot is very enjoyable, and the city begins celebrating numerous cultural shows, activities and festivals to mark the commencement of the long awaited summer season. This season is great for strolls and outdoor activities given the excellent sunshine, however be advised that the temperatures during this time of the month may drop significantly during the night time, which is why it is a good idea to pack clothing layers.
While in Montreal during the summer, you must be prepared for heavy crowds during the tourist season, and it is best to book accommodation and hotel room facilities in advance to ensure good rates and availability. The summer season brings hot, humid weather with average daytime temperatures ranging between 24 degrees Celsius and 28 degrees Celsius, and the average night time temperatures hovering around 16 degrees Celsius. With the heavy humidity, the weather usually feels warmer than usual. This season also commonly sees short-lived thunderstorms and rainfall occurs on an average of 12 to 13 days every month.
Autumn weather in Montreal
The Autumn season in Montreal sees the temperatures dipping gradually, and the weather turns pleasant and the views are spectacular with the brilliant fall colours. Though not a popular tourist season, this is a beautiful time to visit Montreal to experience its beauty and lovely culture, with some key events taking place in the city- like the World Film Festival, POP Montreal, Montreal Burlesque Festival, and the Black and Blue festival. Since the temperatures are steadily dropping to mark the arrival of winter in a few months, it is best to pack a few sets of layered clothing. With the tourist season coming to an end, the autumn season sees an increase in hotel room availability with the prices dropping considerably.
Weather-wise, the season of Autumn is similar to Spring time and the temperatures decrease as the months go by. Autumn in Montreal extends between the months of September and November and experiences brilliant fall foliage and average day time temperatures of about 13 degrees Celsius during October and about 6 degrees Celsius in November. The amount of sunshine the city receives is gradually decreasing and lesser than what the city receives during early Spring. Autumn turns to winter gradually in the month of December and the amount of precipitation and rainfall experienced by Montreal in Autumn is an average of 12 to 15 days in a month.