Montreal has one of the widest temperature swings of any major city: long, cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers, with short, rapid springs and colourful autumns in between. Its clock runs on Eastern Time, the same as Toronto and New York, with daylight saving from March to November.
Climate overview
Montreal is built on an island in the St. Lawrence River and has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb, close to Dfa): warm, humid summers and long, cold, snowy winters. Average highs run from −5°C in January to 27°C in July, and it is among the snowiest large cities in the world.
Annual precipitation is about 1,036 mm, spread evenly across the year; in winter much of it falls as snow, and snow cover usually lasts from December into March. No month is truly dry, and October is the wettest. Cold air from the Arctic and warm, humid air from the south both reach the city, which makes for dramatic swings in weather from one day to the next. Montreal gets about 2,125 hours of sunshine a year, with the sunniest months from May to August.
Montreal through the seasons
Winter (December to February)
Winters are long and cold, with January highs of −5°C and lows of −13°C. Arctic outbreaks can bring much colder spells, and wind chill makes it feel colder still. Frequent snowfalls, sometimes heavy, are cleared efficiently by the city. Freezing rain is an occasional hazard. December is also the darkest month, with only about 79 hours of sunshine.
Spring (March to May)
March is still wintry, with highs of 3°C, and snow melts through late March and April. Then spring moves fast: highs climb from 11°C in April to 19°C in May, and the city quickly fills with terraces and outdoor life.
Summer (June to August)
Summers are warm and often humid, with highs of 24–27°C and mild nights around 17°C. Heat waves occur in some years, and the humidity can make them oppressive. Thunderstorms are frequent, and each summer month brings about 92 mm of rain. July is the sunniest month, with about 269 hours of sun.
Autumn (September to November)
September is mild and often sunny at 21°C. In October, at 13°C, the city's maples turn bright red and gold, especially on Mount Royal; it is also the wettest month, at about 104 mm. November brings cold, grey days, highs of 6°C and often the first snow.
What makes Montreal's weather distinctive
Montreal is designed for winter. The Underground City (RÉSO), a large network of passages linking metro stations, shopping centres and offices, lets people avoid the cold. Snow-clearing operations after major storms are a well-organised, city-wide event, and parking rules change as the ploughs move through.
Freezing rain is the most dangerous winter phenomenon. The great ice storm of January 1998 coated the region in thick ice and left a large part of southern Quebec without power, some households for weeks. Smaller freezing-rain events still happen most winters, glazing pavements and bringing down branches.
The speed of change is the other thing to know. A mild, slushy day can turn into a hard freeze overnight, and in summer a hot, sticky afternoon can end in a sharp thunderstorm. Our Weather page shows live conditions and the forecast.
Best time to visit Montreal
June to September is the best time to visit Montreal, with warm weather and a packed calendar of outdoor festivals, including the International Jazz Festival. Early October is wonderful for autumn colours.
Winter suits travellers who enjoy snow, skating and festivals such as Igloofest; dress properly and the city is very manageable. Late March and April, with melting snow and slush, are the least appealing weeks.
What to pack
- A heavy, insulated winter coat, hat, gloves and scarf
- Waterproof, insulated, non-slip boots
- Light clothing and a light jacket for summer evenings
- An umbrella for summer thunderstorms
- Layers for changeable spring and autumn days
Time in Montreal
Montreal is on Eastern Time, using the America/Toronto zone in the IANA time zone database (the old America/Montreal entry now points to it). Clocks show UTC−5 in winter and UTC−4 in summer, changing on the second Sunday in March and the first Sunday in November, as across most of North America. The next change forward is on 14 March 2027, and the next change back is on 7 November 2027. Right now Montreal is on UTC−5, which makes it 5 hours behind London. Montreal keeps the same time as Toronto and New York all year, which makes scheduling along the east coast simple.
| With | Difference | Time in Montreal | Their time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | +5 h | 09:00–13:00 | 14:00–18:00 |
| New York | same time | 09:00–18:00 | 09:00–18:00 |
| Dubai | +9 h | No overlap | – |
| Tokyo | +14 h | No overlap | – |
| Sydney | +16 h | 17:00–18:00 | 09:00–10:00 |
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 06:56 | 19:06 | 12 h 10 min |
| 21 June | 05:05 | 20:46 | 15 h 41 min |
| 22 September | 06:41 | 18:52 | 12 h 10 min |
| 21 December | 07:31 | 16:13 | 8 h 42 min |
Frequently asked questions
How cold is Montreal in winter?
January averages −5°C by day and −13°C at night, and Arctic outbreaks bring colder spells, made worse by wind chill.
Does Montreal get a lot of snow?
Yes. It is one of the snowiest large cities in the world, usually with lasting snow cover from December to March.
When is the best time to visit Montreal?
June to September for warm weather and festivals, or early October for autumn colours.
What is the warmest month in Montreal?
July, with average highs of 27°C.
Does Montreal use daylight saving time?
Yes. Like most of Quebec, Montreal moves its clocks forward on the second Sunday in March and back on the first Sunday in November.