Vancouver’s temperate oceanic climate (Koppen Cfb) gives it mild, rainy winters and warm, dry summers, setting it apart from most Canadian cities. The city sits at 49.3 degrees north, the same latitude as Paris, but the Pacific Ocean moderates temperatures year-round. Vancouver International Airport (YVR) in Richmond averages 10.4 degrees C (50.7 degrees F) annually, making it one of Canada’s warmest cities. Rain falls on approximately 164 days per year, with November the wettest month at 188mm and July the driest at just 35mm. Snow averages 38cm annually but rarely stays on the ground more than a few days. For more planning details, see our complete Vancouver travel guide.
| Month | Avg High (C/F) | Avg Low (C/F) | Rainfall (mm) | Sunshine (hrs) | Sea Temp (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 6.9 / 44 | 1.4 / 35 | 168 | 60 | 7 |
| Feb | 8.2 / 47 | 1.6 / 35 | 104 | 85 | 7 |
| Mar | 10.3 / 51 | 3.4 / 38 | 113 | 130 | 8 |
| Apr | 13.2 / 56 | 5.6 / 42 | 88 | 170 | 9 |
| May | 16.6 / 62 | 8.8 / 48 | 65 | 225 | 11 |
| Jun | 19.5 / 67 | 11.6 / 53 | 54 | 230 | 14 |
| Jul | 22.4 / 72 | 13.8 / 57 | 35 | 290 | 16 |
| Aug | 22.4 / 72 | 13.9 / 57 | 39 | 270 | 16 |
| Sep | 18.6 / 65 | 10.8 / 51 | 53 | 200 | 14 |
| Oct | 13.7 / 57 | 7.0 / 45 | 120 | 125 | 11 |
| Nov | 9.7 / 49 | 3.8 / 39 | 188 | 65 | 9 |
| Dec | 6.8 / 44 | 1.4 / 35 | 161 | 55 | 8 |
Vancouver Weather by Season
Winter (December to February) brings temperatures between 1 and 8 degrees C (35 to 47 degrees F), with rain on about 17 days per month and occasional wet snow that rarely sticks. Spring (March to May) warms from 3 degrees C (38 degrees F) in March to 9 degrees C (48 degrees F) in May, with cherry blossoms peaking in late March and rainfall dropping from 113mm to 65mm. Summer (June to August) is dry and pleasant, with highs of 19 to 22 degrees C (67 to 72 degrees F), only 35 to 54mm of rain per month, and 230 to 290 hours of sunshine. Check our best time to visit guide for more details. Autumn (September to November) starts mild at 19 degrees C (65 degrees F) in September before dropping to 10 degrees C (49 degrees F) by November, with rain increasing sharply from 53mm to 188mm.
Vancouver Weather in January
January averages a high of 6.9 degrees C (44 degrees F) and a low of 1.4 degrees C (35 degrees F). Rainfall totals 168mm across 18 to 20 rainy days, with an average of 11cm of wet snow. Sunshine is limited to about 60 hours for the entire month. Sea temperature drops to 7 degrees C. This is the coldest month, and the city sees the most overcast skies of the year. Check our things to do guide for more details. Indoor attractions like the Vancouver Art Gallery and Museum of Anthropology are the best bet.
Vancouver Weather in February
February averages a high of 8.2 degrees C (47 degrees F) and a low of 1.6 degrees C (35 degrees F). Rainfall is 104mm with about 8cm of snow. Sunshine increases to 85 hours. Cherry blossoms begin appearing on street trees by late February. Sea temperature remains at 7 degrees C. Check our events and festivals calendar for more details. This is a good month for skiing on the North Shore mountains (Grouse, Cypress, Seymour) while enjoying milder city temperatures.
Vancouver Weather in March
March averages a high of 10.3 degrees C (51 degrees F) and a low of 3.4 degrees C (38 degrees F). Rainfall totals 113mm with only about 2cm of snow. Sunshine jumps to 130 hours. Cherry blossom season begins in earnest, with peak bloom usually in late March or early April. Check our neighborhoods guide for more details. Sea temperature rises to 8 degrees C.
Vancouver Weather in April
April averages a high of 13.2 degrees C (56 degrees F) and a low of 5.6 degrees C (42 degrees F). Rainfall drops to 88mm, and snow is no longer expected. Sunshine reaches 170 hours. Cherry blossoms are at peak during the first half of April. Sea temperature is 9 degrees C. Check our where to stay guide for more details. Outdoor patios start opening, and the city’s gardens are in full bloom.
Vancouver Weather in May
May averages a high of 16.6 degrees C (62 degrees F) and a low of 8.8 degrees C (48 degrees F). Rainfall is 65mm, and sunshine climbs to 225 hours. Sea temperature reaches 11 degrees C. This is the first reliably pleasant month with minimal rain interruptions. Check our travel tips and FAQ for more details. The Vancouver Sun Run and other outdoor events kick off the summer season.
Vancouver Weather in June
June averages a high of 19.5 degrees C (67 degrees F) and a low of 11.6 degrees C (53 degrees F). Rainfall is just 54mm, and sunshine is 230 hours. Sea temperature hits 14 degrees C. The beaches are warm enough to sit on, though swimming is still chilly. The Vancouver International Jazz Festival fills the city with free outdoor concerts.
Vancouver Weather in July
July is the warmest and driest month, averaging a high of 22.4 degrees C (72 degrees F) and a low of 13.8 degrees C (57 degrees F). Rainfall is just 35mm, and there are 290 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature reaches 16 degrees C. The sun does not set until after 9 pm. English Bay Beach, Kitsilano Beach, and outdoor patios are packed. July 2013 recorded zero rainfall for the entire month, a first in Vancouver’s recorded history.
Vancouver Weather in August
August ties July for warmth with highs of 22.4 degrees C (72 degrees F) and lows of 13.9 degrees C (57 degrees F). Rainfall is 39mm, and sunshine is 270 hours. Sea temperature peaks at 16 degrees C. The Honda Celebration of Light fireworks festival draws 400,000 spectators per night. This is peak tourist season; book accommodations well in advance.
Vancouver Weather in September
September averages a high of 18.6 degrees C (65 degrees F) and a low of 10.8 degrees C (51 degrees F). Rainfall increases to 53mm, with 200 hours of sunshine. Sea temperature holds at 14 degrees C. Early September still feels like summer, but by the end of the month the autumn rains begin. The Vancouver International Film Festival starts in late September.
Vancouver Weather in October
October averages a high of 13.7 degrees C (57 degrees F) and a low of 7.0 degrees C (45 degrees F). Rainfall jumps to 120mm, and sunshine drops to 125 hours. Sea temperature is 11 degrees C. The fall foliage in Stanley Park and the North Shore peaks in mid-October. By Halloween, expect steady rain.
Vancouver Weather in November
November is the wettest month, averaging a high of 9.7 degrees C (49 degrees F) and a low of 3.8 degrees C (39 degrees F). Rainfall totals 188mm across about 20 rainy days, with about 4cm of snow possible late in the month. Sunshine drops to just 65 hours. Sea temperature is 9 degrees C. This is the hardest month for outdoor activities. The Vancouver Christmas Market opens in late November.
Vancouver Weather in December
December averages a high of 6.8 degrees C (44 degrees F) and a low of 1.4 degrees C (35 degrees F). Rainfall is 161mm with about 13cm of snow. Sunshine is limited to 55 hours. Sea temperature drops to 8 degrees C. The days are short, with sunset around 4:15 pm near the solstice. The Christmas Market runs until December 24, and Grouse Mountain’s Peak of Christmas offers outdoor skating and sleigh rides.
Vancouver Weather Extremes and Records
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Vancouver is 34.4 degrees C (93.9 degrees F) on July 30, 2009. The coldest is -18.3 degrees C (-0.9 degrees F) on December 29, 1968. The wettest year on record was 1997 with 1,521mm of rain. The snowiest winter was 1971 with 243cm total snowfall, including 61cm on the ground on January 15. July 2013 recorded zero rainfall for the entire month, a first in Vancouver’s recorded weather history. Thunderstorms are rare, averaging just 6.1 days per year. The growing season averages 221 days, from late March through early November, longer than any other major Canadian city.
