Climate - Vancouver (Canada)
Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
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Climate chart - Vancouver
In Vancouver, the largest city of British Columbia, the climate is oceanic, cool and humid, with relatively mild, rainy winters and cool, fairly sunny summers. The west coast is the only part of Canada in which the average temperature remains above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even in winter, and Vancouver is the only major city not having a freezing winter.
Here are the average temperatures.
Vancouver - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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| January | 1.1 | 7.4 | 4.3 | 34 | 45 | 39.7 |
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| February | 1.3 | 8.6 | 4.9 | 34 | 47 | 40.9 |
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| March | 3 | 10.8 | 6.9 | 37 | 51 | 44.3 |
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| April | 5.4 | 13.8 | 9.6 | 42 | 57 | 49.2 |
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| May | 8.9 | 17.6 | 13.3 | 48 | 64 | 55.9 |
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| June | 11.6 | 20.2 | 15.9 | 53 | 68 | 60.6 |
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| July | 13.7 | 23 | 18.4 | 57 | 73 | 65 |
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| August | 13.8 | 23 | 18.4 | 57 | 73 | 65.1 |
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| September | 11 | 19.7 | 15.3 | 52 | 67 | 59.6 |
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| October | 6.9 | 14.3 | 10.6 | 44 | 58 | 51.1 |
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| November | 3.3 | 10 | 6.6 | 38 | 50 | 44 |
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| December | 1 | 7.2 | 4.1 | 34 | 45 | 39.4 |
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| Year | 6.8 | 14.7 | 10.7 | 44.2 | 58.4 | 51 |
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Precipitation is quite abundant, in fact, it amounts to 1,200 millimeters (47 inches) per year, but in the northern suburbs, closer to the mountains, it reaches 1,600 mm (63 in). It is more frequent in the period from November to March; summer is the driest season. Vancouver is not exactly on the ocean coast, since it is protected by the island of the same name, and overlooks the Strait of Georgia. In the west of the island, on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, it rains much more, since precipitation exceeds 2,500 mm (98 in) per year.
Here is the average precipitation in Vancouver.
Vancouver - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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| January | 170 | 6.7 | 20 |
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| February | 105 | 4.1 | 15 |
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| March | 115 | 4.5 | 18 |
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| April | 90 | 3.5 | 15 |
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| May | 65 | 2.6 | 13 |
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| June | 55 | 2.2 | 12 |
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| July | 35 | 1.4 | 6 |
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| August | 35 | 1.4 | 7 |
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| September | 50 | 2 | 8 |
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| October | 120 | 4.7 | 15 |
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| November | 190 | 7.5 | 20 |
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| December | 160 | 6.3 | 20 |
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| Year | 1190 | 46.9 | 169 |
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Winter, from December to February, is quite cold, in fact, the maximum temperature is around 7/8 °C (45/46 °F), but compared to the rest of Canada, it's much milder. The temperatures are similar to those of cities such as London and Paris.
The rains are frequent, and during the periods when mild and moist Pacific currents blow, the temperature can exceed 10 °C (50 °F). On the other hand, in periods of calm weather, fog can form.
Although the climate is much milder than in the rest of Canada, there can sometimes be cold spells, occasionally even in November, during which the temperature can drop to -12 °C (10.5 °F) or below. The coldest record is -17.8 °C (0 °F) and was set in January 1950.
In Vancouver, an average of 38 centimeters (15 inches) of snow falls per year, distributed in 8 days. Usually, the snow does not last long on the ground because after a while, the mild currents from the ocean start to blow again.
North of Vancouver, the Coast Mountains, which culminate in Mount Waddington, 4,019 meters (13,186 feet) high, are very snowy and therefore host glaciers and permanent snow already at an altitude of less than 2,000 meters (6,500 feet); in fact, the landscape of the area, consisting of fjords and islands, has been shaped through millennia by glaciers.
In winter, you can go skiing in the mountains just outside the city, like Grouse Mountain and Mount Seymour, or in the more northern Coast Mountains. In 2010, Vancouver hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
Spring, from March to May, is initially very cool, if not cold, as well as rainy, but it gradually becomes milder, although a bit of cold at night is possible still in May. Also, sunny days become gradually more frequent.
Summer, from June to August, is cool, but also quite sunny: the maximum temperatures hover between 20 °C and 23 °C (68 °F and 73 °F), but the Pacific high-pressure system provides longer periods of good weather than in the rest of Canada. If in winter, Vancouver is the mildest large city of Canada, in summer, it is the coolest, but also the sunniest. On the west coast of Vancouver Island, summer is even cooler: in Tofino, the average maximum temperature in July and August is 19 °C (66 °F).
Unlike in the other seasons, in summer, there can be a considerable number of consecutive days with good weather, however, there can be rainy periods even in this season, with cloudy skies, rain and cool temperatures, with highs remaining around 15/18 °C (59/64 °F).
Hot days, with highs above 30 °C (86 °F), are rare, and sometimes, they do not occur for an entire summer. The highest record is 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) and was set in July 2009.
Autumn, from September to November, is initially mild and pleasant, while by October, it becomes gradually colder and definitely rainy. November is a very rainy month.
The amount of sunshine in Vancouver is scarce in late autumn and winter, when the sky is usually cloudy, while in summer, it becomes good, since there are many sunny days. On average, there are 1,950 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Vancouver - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
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January | 2 | 60 | February | 3 | 90 | March | 4.5 | 135 | April | 6 | 185 | May | 7 | 220 | June | 7.5 | 225 | July | 9.5 | 290 | August | 9 | 275 | September | 7 | 215 | October | 4 | 120 | November | 2 | 60 | December | 2 | 55 | Year | 5.3 | 1940 |
The sea in Vancouver and along the coast of British Columbia is cold even in summer, as you can see in the following table.
Vancouver - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 7.5 | 46 | February | 7.5 | 46 | March | 8 | 47 | April | 9.5 | 49 | May | 11.5 | 53 | June | 13.5 | 56 | July | 14 | 58 | August | 14 | 57 | September | 13 | 55 | October | 11 | 51 | November | 9.5 | 49 | December | 8 | 47 | Year | 10.6 | 51.2 |
Best Time
The best period to visit Vancouver goes from mid-May to late September, with a preference for July and August, since they are the warmest and driest months.
Vancouver - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In January, the weather in Vancouver is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.1 °C (6.6 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in January 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In February, the weather in Vancouver is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.9 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) and a maximum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.9 °C (14.2 °F) in February 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 16.1 °C (61 °F) in February 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In March, the weather in Vancouver is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in March 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 18.8 °C (65.8 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In April, the weather in Vancouver is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) in April 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 24.4 °C (75.9 °F) in April 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In May, the weather in Vancouver is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in May 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In June, the weather in Vancouver is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.9 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 11.6 °C (52.8 °F) and a maximum of 20.2 °C (68.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 30.2 °C (86.4 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In July, the weather in Vancouver is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (51 °F). However, it dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in July 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Vancouver is usually warm. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.3 °C (48.7 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 62% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In September, the weather in Vancouver is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.3 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) in September 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 27.8 °C (82 °F) in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In October, the weather in Vancouver is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.3 °C (57.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in October 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 24.2 °C (75.6 °F) in October 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In November, the weather in Vancouver is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) and a maximum of 10 °C (50 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 19.1 °C (66.4 °F) in November 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Vancouver is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.7 °F) and a maximum of 7.2 °C (45 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.2 °C (4.6 °F) in December 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in December 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
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