November in Ottawa was colder, snowier, but still drier than usual

Snow removal workers shovel the walkway of a residence in Ottawa on Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Ottawa, with 10 to 20 cm of snow expected. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

This past November in Ottawa was colder and snowier than usual, according to Environment Canada.

Overall precipitation levels were still below average, however, perpetuating dry conditions that have kept low-water advisories from local conservation authorities active.

According to Environment Canada’s monthly report, Ottawa saw a monthly mean temperature of 0.1 C, which is 1.6 degrees below the normal mean temperature for the month.

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The 33 centimetres of snow that fell in November in Ottawa was well above average, however. Typically, Ottawa sees around 21 cm in November. It was Ottawa’s snowiest November since 2018, when 61 cm was recorded through the month.

The first big snowfall in Ottawa fell on Nov. 9, with 11.7 cm recorded. The city saw 5.4 cm on Nov. 30, and 4.2 cm on the 23rd.

The snowstorm on Nov. 9 fell notably during the Canadian Premier League final between Atlético Ottawa and Cavalry FC. Players competed on a snow-covered field, with one play later being dubbed the “icicle kick.”

Ottawa also saw 41.8 mm of rain, with the wettest days being Nov. 15 with 10 mm and Nov. 26 with 8.7 mm.

Overall precipitation was 89 per cent normal, coming in at 66 millimetres total. Environment Canada says total precipitation, which is measured in millimetres, includes rainfall and the water equivalent of the total snowfall.

Ottawa has seen several months of below-normal precipitation. October, with its 141 mm of rain, was the only exception. May through September all came in below-average for rainfall.

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The Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority has upgraded its low water status to level 2 from level 3, but the Rideau Valley and South Nation conservation authorities have maintained their respective level 3 low water advisories.

Kingston was also colder than normal, with a monthly mean of 2.2 C, or 1.3 degrees below the normal mean. Dry conditions in the region continued with Kingston’s monthly precipitation total of 57 mm, accounting for just 58 per cent of a typical November.

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