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Best time to visit Canada: month by month
Short answer
June to September is the best all-round time, with eastern highs of about 22-26°C and the Rockies open; mid-to-late September adds golden larches and autumn colours start in the east. July and August are the busiest and most expensive. Winter (about 0-4°C highs and -7 to -8°C lows in the east) is for skiing and winter festivals.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 0°C | -7°C | 8 | low |
| Feb | 1°C | -8°C | 11 | medium |
| Mar | 6°C | -3°C | 11 | low |
| Apr | 12°C | 3°C | 13 | low |
| May | 18°C | 9°C | 8 | medium |
| Jun | 24°C | 15°C | 10 | high |
| Jul | 26°C | 17°C | 14 | very high |
| Aug | 26°C | 18°C | 13 | very high |
| Sep | 22°C | 14°C | 8 | high |
| Oct | 16°C | 9°C | 11 | medium |
| Nov | 8°C | 1°C | 10 | low |
| Dec | 4°C | -1°C | 12 | medium |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Cool and changeable: about 6°C in March rising to 18°C in May in the east; Rockies lakes stay frozen until about mid-June.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Warm to hot, 24-26°C by day and 15-18°C at night in Toronto and Montreal; peak season in the Rockies.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
About 22°C in September falling to 8°C in November; late September to mid-October is best for autumn colours.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Cold, around 0-4°C by day and -7 to -8°C at night in the east, much colder inland; ski season in Banff.
Events worth planning around
- Quebec Winter Carnival, February
- Canada Day, 1 July
- Montreal International Jazz Festival, late June to early July
- Calgary Stampede, early to mid July
- Toronto International Film Festival, September
When to avoid
November and April are often grey and slushy, between seasons. Mid-summer in Banff is very crowded and expensive unless you book months ahead.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit Canada?
June to September for most trips; September for autumn colour in the east and larches in the Rockies.
When is Moraine Lake open?
The lake usually thaws by mid-June and the shuttle runs until about mid-October; private cars are not allowed.
How cold is Canada in winter?
In Toronto and Montreal, highs are around 0°C and lows about -7°C or colder, and the prairies and Rockies are colder still.