Month guide · Ottawa · Canada
Ottawa in November
What November is really like in Ottawa: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Hayden Soloviev, CC BY 4.0
Quick answer
November is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 5°C (41°F), lows of -2°C (28°F), about 12 rainy days and roughly 9.4 hours of daylight. Grey and cold, with the first snow; quiet for visitors but good value for museums.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 5°C (41°F) / -2°C (28°F)
- Rainy days
- About 12
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in November
November is the 8th-warmest month in Ottawa: days average 5°C (41°F) against a yearly average high of 11°C (52°F), and nights fall to about -2°C (28°F). Rain falls on roughly 12 of its 30 days. Compared with October (13°C (55°F)), November is cooler; by December highs drop to around -3°C (27°F).
- Sunrise (15 November)
- About 07:02
- Sunset (15 November)
- About 16:33
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
Autumn (September–November). Bright fall colour in Gatineau Park from late September, comfortable sightseeing weather and lower prices; grey and cold by November.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, November rates 2 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in July). That makes November one of the better-value months to book.
Events in November
- Remembrance Day ceremony at the National War Memorial (11 November)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in November
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Park · ByWard Market and Lowertown
Major's Hill Park
Bring a picnic from the ByWard Market and watch the sunset behind Parliament.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Couples
Palace · New Edinburgh
Rideau Hall
The official residence of the Governor General has 32 hectares of landscaped grounds open to the public, with trees planted by visiting dignitaries, a cricket pitch and greenhouses.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
Nature · New Edinburgh
Rideau Falls
Visit in April or May, when snowmelt makes the falls roar; in winter they freeze into icy curtains.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Gatineau
Gatineau Park
A 361 km² wilderness park in the Gatineau Hills begins about 15 minutes from Parliament.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Views
- Active
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 5°C, lows near -2°C and 12 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a compact umbrella and waterproof shoes — rain is frequent; comfortable walking shoes.
Is November a good time to visit Ottawa?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, May–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Ottawa in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is November a good time to visit Ottawa?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Grey and cold, with the first snow; quiet for visitors but good value for museums.
+How warm is Ottawa in November?
Average highs are around 5°C (41°F) and lows around -2°C (28°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Ottawa in November?
Expect rain on about 12 days of the month, so pack for wet weather.