Vancouver features a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. The city is protected by mountains and warmed by Pacific currents, making it one of Canada’s mildest cities. Rain and clouds are common outside summer, but vibrant seasons and moderate temperatures make Vancouver a comfortable destination year-round.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Vancouver’s climate is shaped by its coastal location, Pacific Ocean currents, and surrounding mountains. Winters (November–March) are mild by Canadian standards, with average highs of 7–9°C and lows around 1–4°C. Rain is frequent, especially in November and December, with monthly precipitation often exceeding 180 mm. Snow is rare in the city but more common in nearby mountains. Winter days are short and often overcast, with limited sunshine and high humidity (up to 87%). Winds are generally gentle to moderate, averaging 15–16 km/h, but can be brisk near the water.
Spring (March–May) brings variable weather, with temperatures rising from 10°C in March to 19°C by May. Rain decreases, and cherry blossoms brighten the city. Summers (June–August) are warm and mild, with average highs of 21–25°C and lows around 14–17°C. July and August are the driest and sunniest months, with as little as 41 mm of rain and up to 9 hours of sunshine per day. Humidity is moderate, and sea breezes keep conditions comfortable. Autumn (September–October) is mild and increasingly wet, with highs dropping from 19°C in September to 11°C in November. Rain returns, and vibrant autumn foliage fills the parks. Annual precipitation is about 1,200 mm, with over 150 rainy days per year. The Pacific Ocean keeps winters mild and summers cool, and fog is common in transitional seasons. Daylight ranges from over 16 hours in June to just 8 hours in December.
| Average climate data for Vancouver, Canada | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 5 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 19 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 196 | 113 | 147 | 89 | 52 | 44 | 24 | 41 | 81 | 142 | 207 | 188 | 1,323 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 19 | 17 | 21 | 18 | 15 | 14 | 9 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 20 | 193 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 51 | 66 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 41 | 190 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 85 | 81 | 82 | 78 | 78 | 78 | 76 | 78 | 80 | 82 | 82 | 83 | 80 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 11 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 9 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 9 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 59 | 55 | 57 | 50 | 38 | 38 | 25 | 26 | 36 | 45 | 56 | 59 | 45 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Vancouver is from late June to early September, when temperatures are warm (21–25°C), rainfall is minimal, and the city is alive with festivals, outdoor activities, and long daylight hours. This period offers ideal weather for beaches, hiking, and exploring Vancouver’s natural beauty.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when rain is most frequent, days are short, and skies are often overcast. While winters are mild, persistent dampness and limited sunshine can make outdoor activities less appealing. However, this season is perfect for snow sports in nearby mountains.
Vancouver has a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers. Rain and clouds are common outside summer, but temperatures remain moderate throughout the year.
Snow is rare in Vancouver itself, but more common in the surrounding mountains. When it does snow in the city, it usually melts quickly. Winters are mostly rainy and mild.
July and August are the sunniest months, with long days, little rain, and up to 9 hours of sunshine daily. These months are ideal for outdoor activities and beach visits.
Vancouver receives about 1,200 mm of rain annually, with the wettest months in November and December. July and August are the driest, with only 41 mm of rain each month.
Vancouver experiences gentle to moderate winds, averaging 15–16 km/h. Winds can be brisk near the water or during storms, especially in autumn and winter.
Pack waterproof layers and sturdy shoes for winter and spring. In summer, bring light clothing, sun protection, and a jumper for cool evenings. Weather can change quickly, so be prepared for rain at any time.
The Pacific Ocean near Vancouver remains cool year-round, peaking at about 17°C in August. Swimming is possible in summer, but the water is brisk compared to southern destinations.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (19.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (4.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (13.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (1.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.2 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is September (11.2 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (6.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 8.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (207.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (23.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,322.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is March (20.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is August (8.9 days). Over the whole year there are 192.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (66.3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 190.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (3.7 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, June and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 10.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (84.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (75.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 80.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is November (11.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 9.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (59.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (25.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 45.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3.2 h). Over the whole year there are 6.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.1.
