Ottawa Weather in January
In January, Ottawa averages a high of -6°C (22°F) and a low of -14°C (7°F), from 56 years of daily records (1971–2026).
-6°C
Average high
22°F
-14°C
Average low
7°F
12°C
Record high
53°F · January 30, 2013
-35°C
Record low
-31°F · January 4, 1981
What January Is Like in Ottawa
- January in Ottawa has become 2.0°C (3.5°F) warmer on average: the 2012–2026 average against 1970–1989.
- 5 of the 10 warmest Januarys on record in Ottawa have come since 2012.
- The coldest January reading, -35°C (-31°F) on January 4, 1981, has not been matched in 45 years.
- January is Ottawa's coldest month of the year.
At least 1 mm of rain falls on 34% of January days, and the month averages 60 mm in total.
Warmest: 1990 (-0.6°C)Latest: 2026 (-6.2°C)10-year averageLong-run average (-5.7°C)
Look Up a Day in January
See the weather in Ottawa on any January date, year by year.
Source: NOAA GHCN-Daily, Ottawa Cda (1971–2023); Ottawa Cda Rcs (2000–2026). Averages cover 1971–2026. How we compute this