Honestly, if you ask a local about the weather in Montreal, they’ll probably start by telling you about their tires. It’s a quirk of living here. We don't just "have weather"—we have a complex, seasonal relationship with the sky that dictates everything from what we eat to how we get to work. Right now, as of Sunday, January 18, 2026, the city is tucked under a "mostly cloudy" blanket. It’s currently 27°F, but the wind is kicking up from the southwest at 14 mph, making it feel more like a stinging 15°F.
That "feels like" gap? That is the most Montreal thing ever.
People come here expecting a tundra, and while it definitely gets frigid, the real story is the humidity. In the summer, it’s a tropical swamp that makes your hair quadruple in size. In the winter, like today, that 79% humidity makes the cold crawl right into your marrow. You can’t just look at a thermometer in this city and think you know what’s going on.
The Reality of the Montreal Winter
If you’re looking out the window today, Sunday, you’re seeing light snow with a high of 26°F and a low of 16°F. There’s a 20% chance of snow both day and night. It’s basically a classic January afternoon. But don't get too comfortable. By Tuesday, the mercury is going to fall off a cliff, bottoming out at 3°F with a high of only 8°F.
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That’s a 20-degree drop in 48 hours.
This is the "meteorological chaos" the Old Farmer’s Almanac warned us about for January 2026. We’ve already seen power outages hit the West Island and Dorval earlier this week after heavy snow met a sudden deep freeze. When the temperature yoyos like this, the ice becomes a weapon. You’ll see people doing the "Montreal Shuffle"—a very specific way of walking with your center of gravity forward so you don't end up on your back on a patch of black ice.
How to Actually Dress Without Looking Like a Tourist
Forget the $1,000 parkas. Unless you’re standing still on a film set for eight hours, you’ll overheat the second you step into the Metro. The underground city (RÉSO) is heated, and the transition from 15°F wind chill to a 70°F subway station is a recipe for a sweat-induced cold later.
- The Base Layer: Wear merino wool or a synthetic "Heattech" style shirt. Avoid cotton. Cotton is the enemy. Once it gets damp from sweat or snow, it stays cold.
- The Footwear: This is where tourists fail. You don't need "snow boots"; you need waterproof boots. Montreal winters are 20% snow and 80% grey, salty slush. If your boots aren't sealed, you're done.
- The "Tuque": It’s not a beanie. It’s a tuque. Get one that covers your ears completely because that 14 mph wind we’re having today will find every gap in your armor.
Beyond the Big Freeze: The Rest of the Year
What most people get wrong is thinking Montreal is only about the cold. By the time we hit July, the city is a different planet. Average highs sit around 79°F, but the humidity often pushes the "humidex" into the 90s.
It’s loud, it’s sweaty, and there are festivals on every corner.
The 2025 summer was famously wet, with post-tropical cyclones dumping torrential rain on the city. 2026 is expected to follow a similar pattern of "extreme" shifts. You go from a week of "can't-breathe" humidity to a sudden cold front that makes you reach for a hoodie. It’s inconsistent, frustrating, and absolutely brilliant for the city's energy.
The Forecast for the Next Few Days
If you're planning your week, here is the raw data you need to know:
- Monday (Jan 19): Snow showers are likely. High of 22°F, low of 8°F. The chance of snow jumps to 45% by nightfall.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Bitterly cold but sunny. The high is only 8°F. This is the day you stay inside and eat poutine.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): A "warm" rebound back to 26°F, but it brings more snow showers (35% chance).
Survival Strategy for Visitors
If you're here right now, embrace the "mostly cloudy" vibes. Head to the Underground City if the wind chill hits that 15°F mark, or find a café in the Plateau. The weather in Montreal is a participant in the culture, not just a backdrop. It forces us to be resilient, to dress in layers, and to celebrate the sun whenever it actually decides to show up.
Check your weather app specifically for the "Wind Chill" or "Refroidissement éolien"—that is the only number that actually matters when you're standing at a bus stop on René-Lévesque.
Pack a pair of waterproof boots with good grip.
Buy a real wool tuque.
Watch for the "Montreal Shuffle" on the sidewalks.