Montreal in December: a seasonal travel plan
Montreal, Canada. In december, the average daytime high is -1.3 °C and the night-time low is -9.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Choose a month
Selected month: December
Temperatures by month
Air temperature: Montreal
Contents
Weather at a glance
- Daytime high
- -1.3 °C
- Nighttime low
- -9.3 °C
- Monthly precipitation
- 87.1 mm
- Days with at least 1 mm
- 14.1
- Daylight
- 8.8 h
2015–2024 averages. Daytime temperature is the average daily maximum; nighttime temperature is the average daily minimum.
Early, middle and late month
| Period | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Days with at least 1 mm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Days 1–10 | 0.3 | -7.4 | 4.1 |
| Days 11–20 | -1.7 | -9.9 | 4.7 |
| From day 21 | -2.5 | -10.4 | 5.3 |
What this month is like
Montreal, Canada. In december, the average daytime high is -1.3 °C and the night-time low is -9.3 °C. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
There are 14.1 wet days on average, with about 87.1 mm of precipitation. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
How to plan the day
Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
Average daylight is 8.8 hours, so put longer routes in the brighter part of the day.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag.
Precipitation and an alternative plan
Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What to pack
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
Compared with neighbouring months
Average daytime high: previous month — 5.5 °C, December — -1.3 °C, next month — -5.7 °C. Days with at least 1 mm of precipitation: 12.3, 14.1 and 13.5.
Things to do
Montreal is bilingual and split in two: the old town by the river keeps stone warehouses, while the Plateau and Mile End to the north live on cafés, outdoor staircases and music. The centre is compact, the metro links the shores and Mount Royal gives the view.
Old Montreal
Cobblestones lead from Notre-Dame Basilica to the Old Port waterfront. Step inside the basilica for the deep blue vault, then follow the water and turn inland along the Lachine Canal, where a path runs beside it.
Mount Royal and the Plateau
Climb Mount Royal on the path from Peel Street to the Kondiaronk lookout. Come down to the Plateau, walk Avenue du Mont-Royal and eat lunch on Rue Saint-Denis.
Jean-Talon and the Olympic Park
Jean-Talon Market fills a block north of Mile End with cheese, maple syrup, vegetables and fish. The metro runs from there to the Olympic Park, the Botanical Garden and the Biodôme, worth a couple of hours.
Where to stay
Old Montreal
Old Montreal suits the first days: basilica, port and museums are close. Visitors thin out in the evening, the stone streets empty, and residential blocks begin beyond the canal.
The Plateau
The Plateau draws people with cafés, outdoor staircases and Lafontaine Park. French is the everyday language, streets stay lively at night, and the centre is twenty minutes away.
Mile End
Mile End joins bakeries, music clubs and bookshops along Boulevard Saint-Laurent. It is calmer than the centre, though parking becomes a puzzle in the evening.
Getting to and around Montreal
Montréal-Trudeau airport connects to the centre by bus 747, which runs to Berri-UQAM station. Four metro lines, buses and BIXI bikes cover the city, and the REM light rail links the centre with the South Shore. Old Montreal and the port are best on foot, and Mount Royal is climbed on trails.
Three days in Montreal
Old Montreal and the port
Start at Notre-Dame Basilica, cross Place d'Armes and walk down to the Old Port. After lunch take the Lachine Canal path and finish at Bonsecours Market.
Mount Royal and the Plateau
Climb to the Kondiaronk lookout in the morning and come down through the park to Avenue du Mont-Royal. Cafés and shops fill the day, and music fills Mile End at night.
Jean-Talon and the Olympic Park
Morning at Jean-Talon Market for cheese and pastries to carry. Then the metro to the Olympic Park, the Botanical Garden and the Biodôme, with dinner on Rue Saint-Denis.
Weather throughout the year
| Month | Daytime high, °C | Nighttime low, °C | Precipitation, mm | Days with at least 1 mm | Daylight, h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -5.7 | -16.4 | 72.0 | 13.5 | 9.1 |
| February | -3.9 | -15.0 | 67.4 | 11.4 | 10.4 |
| March | 2.2 | -7.2 | 65.1 | 11.6 | 11.9 |
| April | 10.2 | 0.1 | 95.7 | 12.5 | 13.5 |
| May | 18.7 | 7.7 | 67.0 | 11.6 | 14.9 |
| June | 23.3 | 13.5 | 97.3 | 15.9 | 15.6 |
| July | 27.3 | 17.2 | 95.4 | 15.3 | 15.3 |
| August | 26.7 | 16.5 | 99.8 | 14.9 | 14.1 |
| September | 23.1 | 12.0 | 70.0 | 10.0 | 12.6 |
| October | 14.9 | 5.3 | 104.5 | 12.4 | 11.0 |
| November | 5.5 | -2.3 | 69.7 | 12.3 | 9.6 |
| December | -1.3 | -9.3 | 87.1 | 14.1 | 8.8 |
Frequently asked questions
Montreal: what is the temperature in December?
The average daytime high is -1.3 °C and the night-time low is -9.3 °C. Outdoor conditions are frosty. Keep walks short and alternate them with indoor stops.
How many days with precipitation are there in December?
On average, there are 14.1 days with at least 1 mm of precipitation; the monthly total is 87.1 mm. Precipitation is frequent. Keep several indoor activities in your plans and fit longer walks between them.
What should I pack for walks in December?
Pack a warm coat, thermal layers, a hat, gloves and insulated shoes with non-slip soles. Add a waterproof outer layer and shoes that dry quickly.
How does the weather change from the start to the end of the month?
Average daytime highs by part of the month: 1–10 — 0.3 °C; 11–20 — -1.7 °C; 21 to month-end — -2.5 °C.
How many daylight hours are there in December?
The average is 8.8 hours. Daylight is limited. Set aside time for views and photographs before dusk.
Is Montreal worth visiting in December?
The climate suits a trip if daytime temperatures around -1.3 °C and nights around -9.3 °C work for you. Plan longer walks for the middle of the day and alternate them with indoor stops.
What can I do in Montreal on a wet day in December?
Keep an indoor backup route and a compact rain jacket in your day bag. Keep a museum, market, café or another indoor route near your accommodation.
What should I pack for Montreal in December?
Pack a warm coat, several layers, a hat and non-slip shoes. Average daylight is 8.8 hours.