Weather in Quebec City

Planning your trip or simply interested in the weather in Quebec City? Here you will find the freshest information on weather conditions, as well as detailed forecasts and useful charts.

Quebec City, located in Canada, is characterised by a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. This means that travellers can expect significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. Winters here are typically cold and snowy, with temperatures often dropping well below freezing. Summer, in contrast, brings warm and pleasant weather, ideal for exploring the city and its surroundings. Spring and autumn are transitional periods, each with its own unique charm and temperature regime, offering colourful landscapes and more moderate temperatures.

Throughout the year, Quebec City undergoes notable changes. The coldest months are January and February, with average temperatures around -10°C and -9°C respectively. July is the warmest month, with an average temperature of around 19.7°C, making it a wonderful time to visit. Precipitation is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, with a slight increase in the summer months. On average, one can expect from 12 to 17 days with precipitation per month, indicating regular but not necessarily heavy rain or snowfall, depending on the season. This creates diverse conditions for travellers, allowing them to choose the most comfortable time for a trip according to their preferences.

Quebec City experiences a significant annual temperature variation, typical of a continental climate. The coldest month is January, when the average temperature drops to -10.7°C, and nighttime lows can reach -14.9°C. Daytime highs in January rarely rise above -6.5°C. February is also very cold, with an average temperature of -9.3°C. Conversely, the warmest month is July, when the average temperature is a comfortable 19.7°C, with daytime highs averaging 24.3°C and nighttime lows around 15.1°C.

The summer months in Quebec City, from June to August, offer pleasant warmth. In June, the average temperature is 16.7°C (from 11.8°C at night to 21.7°C during the day); July, as mentioned, is the warmest; and in August, the average temperature drops slightly to 18.4°C (from 14.0°C to 22.7°C). These temperatures create excellent conditions for walking and outdoor activities. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is about 8-10 degrees, ensuring cool evenings after warm days.

Winter in Quebec City is characterised by persistent freezing temperatures. From December to February, the thermometer consistently stays below zero. In December, the average temperature is -6.9°C, with nighttime frosts down to -10.8°C and daytime temperatures around -3.0°C. January and February are even colder, with frequent daytime temperatures below -5°C and nighttime temperatures dropping to -14°C and below. Temperature fluctuations between day and night in winter are somewhat smaller than in summer, amounting to approximately 6-8 degrees, but the overall cold weather requires warm clothing.

In Quebec City, precipitation falls quite evenly throughout the year, and there is no distinct dry season in terms of a complete absence of it. Although the total amount of precipitation by month is small and does not fluctuate greatly, summer months such as June, July, and August receive slightly more moisture (about 5 mm per month) compared to other periods, when this figure is 3-4 mm. This, combined with frequent "wet" days, suggests that precipitation is usually light.

The nature of precipitation in Quebec City depends heavily on the season. In winter, roughly from December to March, when temperatures consistently stay below freezing (for example, in January the average temperature is -10.7°C), precipitation falls predominantly as snow. Given the small total amount of precipitation (3 mm in January and February) and the significant number of snowy days (for example, 14 days in each of these months), this indicates frequent but likely light snowfalls. In spring, especially in April (average temperature 3.0°C), one can expect both late snowfalls and the first rains, also likely not intense. By May, rain predominates. In summer, from June to August, when temperatures are highest (for example, in July the average temperature is 19.7°C), all precipitation falls as rain. In autumn, in September and October, it is also mostly rain, but by November, with the temperature dropping to an average of -0.6°C, snow begins to fall again.

The highest number of days with precipitation occurs in the summer months: July leads with 17 days, followed by June and August with 16 days. These are the "wettest" months both in frequency and total volume of precipitation (5 mm). The "driest" months in terms of precipitation amount (3 mm) are January, February, March, May, and September. At the same time, the lowest number of days with precipitation is observed in March and September – 12 days in each. Overall, in Quebec City, precipitation is a regular occurrence throughout the year, so light protection against it will be useful almost always: from snow in winter and from rain in the warm season.

When planning a trip to Quebec City, it is important to choose your wardrobe correctly, considering the distinct change of seasons and significant temperature fluctuations. In winter (from December to March), when average temperatures drop to -10°C and below, and precipitation falls as snow, you will need very warm clothing. Be sure to bring a warm winter jacket (preferably windproof and waterproof), thermal underwear, wool or fleece sweaters, insulated trousers, a hat covering your ears, a scarf, and warm gloves or mittens. Do not forget waterproof winter boots with good non-slip soles to move comfortably along snowy streets.

In summer (from June to August), the weather in Quebec City is warm, with average temperatures around 17-20°C, but evenings can be cool. It is recommended to take light clothing: T-shirts, shorts, skirts, dresses, as well as a light jacket or sweater for evening walks. Since there are up to 17 rainy days per month in summer, an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket would not be amiss. Sunscreen and a hat will also come in handy on sunny days. In spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October), the weather is changeable: daytime temperatures range from 3°C to 19°C. In these seasons, the layering principle works best: a T-shirt, shirt, sweater, and jacket that can be taken off or put on depending on the weather. Waterproof shoes and a jacket will also be very useful, as rain and even wet snow (in April or November) are not uncommon.

At any time of the year, to explore Quebec City with its cobblestone streets and hilly terrain, you will need comfortable walking shoes. Given that even in the warm months the number of days with precipitation is significant, a compact umbrella or light raincoat will become your reliable companion. The principle of layering in clothing is your best friend in Quebec City, allowing you to adapt to changes in temperature and wind throughout the day, especially during the transitional seasons.