Ottawa, ON, Canada

Brrrr!

In Ottawa, the weather can be brutal in the month of January. Colder than December, the bitter frostbite conditions of the ‘wind chill factor’ can cut through your mitts and coats. So, usually, even a temperature of minus 15 C can feel even colder – sometimes as low as minus 30 C!

Yep, there’s that 60 degree swing of +30C in the summers to -30C in the dead of winter. It can be tough to stand outside for any length of time in January. And without a ‘toque’ as the Canadians call their wooly hats, your ears will get red and sore from the icy chills. They might even fall off

I used to walk to work, up along Elgin Street - in January, it can be quite harsh, and I usually arrived with a runny nose and chapped lips. So, I would recommend dressing in layers and avoiding spending a long time outdoors during this month.

Also, head’s up! Many of Ottawa’s buildings have warning signs, but for those that don’t, mind your heads on falling icicles! Seriously!

Apart from the freezing temperatures, the capital can be very beautiful in January as everything is often encrusted in clean, white snow. Like a Winter Wonderland.

So, if you can wrap up for the occasion, it can be nice to view the snow-topped buildings around the city, and of course, the partially frozen Rideau Canal.