Ottawa's April Drenched the City Well Above Average
Ottawa residents who felt like they were constantly reaching for an umbrella last month weren't imagining things — April 2026 was officially wetter than average, with more than 100 mm of rain recorded across the city.
According to data reported by CTV News, Ottawa's April precipitation totals came in well above what the city typically sees during the month. For context, Ottawa's historical average April rainfall sits around 68–75 mm, meaning last month brought roughly 30–40% more rain than expected.
What That Much Rain Actually Looks Like
Over 100 mm of rain in a single month adds up quickly. That's the equivalent of filling a standard ruler nearly halfway up with water — spread across every road, park, rooftop, and backyard in the city.
For most Ottawans, the wet spring showed up in familiar ways: flooded basement windows, soggy commutes, trail closures along the Rideau River and NCC pathways, and weekends that felt more suited to board games than patio season. The Rideau River water levels remained elevated through much of April, and low-lying areas in neighbourhoods like Riverside South and the Glebe saw pooling that lingered for days.
Spring Flooding Concerns
Higher-than-average spring precipitation is something Ottawa takes seriously, given the city's history with flooding — most memorably the major Rideau River and Ottawa River flood events of 2017 and 2019 that forced evacuations in communities like Constance Bay, Britannia, and Rockcliffe.
While April 2026's rainfall didn't reach those emergency levels, the above-average totals serve as a reminder of how quickly conditions can escalate in spring, when snowmelt and rainfall combine. The City of Ottawa and Conservation Ontario regularly monitor river gauge levels during these periods, and residents in flood-prone areas are encouraged to keep emergency sandbags and sump pump maintenance on their radar.
A Slow Burn Into Spring
The flip side of all that rain? Ottawa's parks, green spaces, and gardens are heading into May exceptionally well-hydrated. The Arboretum, Hog's Back Park, and Commissioner's Park — home to the famous tulip beds ahead of the Canadian Tulip Festival — should be lush and full this season. Farmers in the Ottawa Valley may also benefit from the soil moisture heading into planting season, though excessive saturation can complicate early field work.
Looking Ahead to May
Environment Canada's seasonal outlook suggests temperatures trending near or slightly above normal through May and June, with precipitation closer to average. If that holds, Ottawans may finally get the dry, warm stretch needed to properly kick off patio season.
For now, it's probably worth keeping that rain jacket somewhere accessible — spring in Ottawa has a way of keeping you guessing.
Source: CTV News Ottawa via Google News
