Vancouver Weather: What to Expect and How to Pack

Vancouver weather is infamously wet, yet mild year-round. As Canadian journalist Allan Fotheringham put it, "Vancouver is the Canadian city with the best climate and the worst weather." From temperatures near 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) in summer and up to 45 degrees Fahrenheit (about 7 degrees Celsius) in winter, the climate is seldom unpleasant, even though Vancouver usually sees more than 150 days of rain each year. Winters are wet, but snow is rare, except on local ski hills.

01 of 05

Winter in Vancouver

Vancouver skyline surrounded by fresh snow in winter — stockstudioX / Getty Images

Winter in Vancouver delivers little snow but is wet, with large amounts of precipitation in the form of rain and slush. Pack accordingly. January is typically the coldest month of the year, with temperatures hovering around 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius) and the sun setting around 4:30 p.m. One thing for visitors to be aware of is the phenomenon of flash freezing, which occurs when precipitation arrives and temperatures drop below freezing and can make for challenging driving conditions, especially in a rental car. Nearby Whistler, however, gets loads of winter snow and is a major ski destination through May.

02 of 05

Spring in Vancouver

A park bench sits beneath a cherry tree in full bloom in Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver, Canada — Kim Rogerson / Getty Images

Spring in Vancouver comes early, with February seeing the arrival of tulips and temperatures on average staying above freezing. The wet weather starts to taper off later in the spring, but it's a good idea to pack water-resistant gear and an umbrella. Layers help for suddenly changing weather.

All the rain contributes to one of the most lovely aspects of spring in Vancouver, however: the blossoming of the cherry trees, something that is celebrated across the city each April.

03 of 05

Summer in Vancouver

Crowd at English Bay Beach at sunset — Joel Rogers / Getty Images

Summer in Vancouver delivers the most moderate weather of the year, with warmer days, more sunshine, and less humidity than eastern cities such as Toronto and Montreal. Daytime temperatures will get up to about 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius) but bring a sweater for cooler evenings. July and August are the dryest months of the year.

04 of 05

Autumn in Vancouver

Autumn in Vancouver sees the city's rain pick up again in October and really start coming down in November and the beginning of December. Temperatures remain moderate compared to the rest of the country, staying above 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius). Fall, especially from September to early November, is a great time to visit as the weather is agreeable, crowds thin out, and airfares and hotel rates drop.

Continue to 5 of 5 below.

05 of 05

Average Temperatures in Vancouver

Vancouver with sunshine — Frank Fell / Getty Images

Temperatures in Vancouver don't vary too dramatically during the year, with an average low around 34 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) in January, and highs of 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 degrees Celsius) during July and August. Consider the yearly average high and low temperatures in Vancouver, but check advanced forecasts if you're visiting—and don't forget to pack those layers.

January: 44 F (7 C) / 34 F (1 C)
February: 47 F (8 C) / 35 F (2 C)
March: 51 F (10 C) / 38 F (3 C)
April: 56 F (13 C) / 42 F (6 C)
May: 62 F (17 C) / 48 F (9 C)
June: 67 F (20 C) / 53 F (12 C)
July: 72 F (22 C) / 57 F (14 C)
August: 72 F (22 C) / 57 F (14 C)
September: 66 F (19 C) / 51 F (11 C)
October: 56 F (14 C) / 45 F (7 C)
November: 48 F (9 C) / 38 F (3 C)
December: 43 F (6 C) / 34 F (1 C)