Ottawa Weather in January

January weather

January feels properly cold in Ottawa, with highs around -6°C and lows near -16°C. The short, cloudy days can make sightseeing outdoors feel tiring, and rain falls on many days. The Rideau Canal Skateway is a classic winter outing when it's open, but don't build your whole trip around skating. For warmer hours, spend time inside the National Gallery of Canada or the Canadian Museum of History.

If you hate crowds, you'll find January quieter than May and September, Ottawa's best months overall. The Christmas and New Year rush fades after the holidays, and visitor numbers are generally low.

What to do

New Year's Day is a public holiday, so some places may have limited hours. January isn't Ottawa's big winter festival month: Winterlude takes place in February. You can still enjoy the city's winter feel, though, especially around Parliament Hill and the canal.

Travelling with kids? The Canadian Museum of History makes a good indoor break from the cold, with plenty to explore together. In ByWard Market, warm up with a BeaverTail, a fried pastry that's a local favourite.

A useful local tip

If the Rideau Canal Skateway is open, enter near downtown and skate towards Dow's Lake. Conditions can change, so check the National Capital Commission's canal updates before setting out. If it's closed, the canal route is still a pleasant place for a short walk, but icy paths can make it less comfortable.

January is a low season for Ottawa, so accommodation and flights often cost less than in busier months. That's a useful trade-off if you're happy to keep outdoor plans flexible and spend some time in museums, cafés and galleries.