Geography of Montreal

Climate

Montreal
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     78     −6 −15     62     −4 −13     74     2 −7     78     11 1     76     19 8     83     24 13     91     26 16     93     25 14     93     20 9     78     13 3     93     5 −2     81     −2 −10 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm Source: Environment Canada
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.1     22 6     2.4     25 9     2.9     36 20     3.1     51 33     3     66 46     3.3     74 55     3.6     79 60     3.7     77 58     3.7     67 49     3.1     55 38     3.7     42 28     3.2     28 13 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches

Montreal lies at the confluence of several climatic regions. Usually, the climate is classified as humid continental or hemiboreal (Köppen climate classification Dfb).

Precipitation is abundant with an average snowfall of 2.25 metres (84 in) per year in the winter. Regular rainfall throughout the year averages 900 mm (35.3 in). Summer is the wettest season statistically, but it is also the sunniest.

The coldest month of the year is January which has a daily average temperature of −10.4 °C (13 °F) — averaging a daily low of −14.9 °C (5.2 °F), colder than either Moscow (-10 °C) or Saint Petersburg (-6 °C). Due to wind chill, the perceived temperature can be much lower than the actual temperature, and wind chill factor is often included in Montreal weather forecasts. The warmest month is July which has an average daily high of 26.3 °C (79.3 °F); lower nighttime temperatures make an average of 20.9 °C (69.6 °F) thus air exchangers often achieve the same result as air conditioners. The lowest temperature ever recorded was −37.8 °C (−36.0 °F) on 15 January 1957 and the highest temperature ever was 37.6 °C (99.7 °F) on 1 August 1975. High humidity is common in the summer which makes the perceived temperature higher than the actual temperature. In spring and autumn, rainfall averages between 55 and 94 millimetres (2.2 and 3.7 in) a month. Some snow in spring and autumn is normal. Similarly, late heat waves as well as "Indian summers" are a regular feature of the climate.

2006 was noted as the only year in the history of Montreal when there was more rain than there was snow. There were 122.3 cm (48.1 in) of snow, and there were 122.5 cm (48.2 in) of rain. That year, Montreal received more rain than Vancouver, British Columbia.

Winter

Winter in Montreal is often cold, snowy and windy at times. Most days stay near or below freezing, with well below freezing at night. Sometimes with windchill, temperatures may feel colder than the actual temperature. Typical winter daytime temperatures are between +2 to -8°C (18 - 36°F) and overnight temperatures are between -10 to -15°C (6 - 13°F). Night time temperatures in the northwestern suburbs tend to be colder than in the downtown core sometimes by five degrees Celsius. However, some days are milder with temperatures staying above freezing, as well as some nights temperatures could remain below -20°C (-4°F), especially with windchill. Montreal receives plenty of snow throughout the winter season. Snow mainly falls between early December and early March, although it mostly snows in January and February. Although it is rare, light snow could fall in late October and April. Average yearly snowfall is 218 cm (86 inches). Despite plenty of snow during winter,Montreal is seeing an increasing amount of rain rather than snow during the winter. But Montreal still sees plenty of days with sunshine compared to other places at similar latitudes, or even farther south, and more winter sunshine than anywhere else in northern and northwestern Europe. Precipitation occurs between 13 – 17 days per month, including an average of 60 days of snowfall.

Spring

Spring in Montreal ranges from chilly to warm weather. The spring like weather usually arrives in mid march sometimes earlier or later with temperatures around 2 - 5.c (36 - 42.f ) but the weather is very unpredictable. April brings temperatures between 8 - 15.c but hot humid weather and snow are possible in the same week. Trees usually start leafing out during the last week of the month. May is a rather warm month. Temperatures are usually in the high teens (60's .f )during the first week but by the last week of the month the weather is warm enough to herald warm summer days with temperatures around 21.c ( 70's.f ). Spring is also slightly sunnier than autumn. Precipitation occurs about 12 – 14 days per month.

Autumn

Autumn is similar to springtime weather-wise, temperatures start to cool off towards the end of September, allowing for brilliant fall foliage in October. Daytime temperatures in October are around 13.c. Temperatures in November hover at 5.c (42°F). Late autumn receives slightly less sunshine than early spring. Autumn usually turns to winter in early December. Precipitation occurs about 12 – 15 days per month.

Sunshine

Montreal and southern Quebec region receives slightly over 2,000 hours of sunshine annually, with summer being the sunniest season. The sunniest month is July with 274 hours, and least sunny is December with 80 hours. Montreal receives more sunshine than northern and northwestern Europe, even in locations at similar or even somewhat farther south latitudes, especially during winter and throughout the year.

Precipitation

The city's average precipitation is 979 mm (38.5 inches), including 216 cm (85 inches) of snow. Like rest of the Northeastern U.S. and most of Southeastern Canada, precipitation is spread evenly throughout the year, with no wet or dry seasons. Montreal has 163 days annually with some rain or snow. Thunderstorms could occur anywhere between late spring through early autumn.