Best time to visit Vancouver
The best time to visit Vancouver is July–August, judged on twenty years of weather records and the events worth going for.
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
°C
mm
- Average daily high and low
- Precipitation
- Good month
- Best month
- Made good or best by an event
| Month | Average daily high | Average daily low | Precipitation | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5.6 °C / 42 °F | 1.7 °C / 35 °F | 307 mm / 12.1 in | neither best nor good |
| February | 6.2 °C / 43 °F | 1.4 °C / 35 °F | 181 mm / 7.1 in | neither best nor good |
| March | 8.7 °C / 48 °F | 2.9 °C / 37 °F | 257 mm / 10.1 in | neither best nor good |
| April | 11.7 °C / 53 °F | 4.7 °C / 40 °F | 163 mm / 6.4 in | neither best nor good |
| May | 16.1 °C / 61 °F | 8.3 °C / 47 °F | 106 mm / 4.2 in | good month |
| June | 18.4 °C / 65 °F | 11 °C / 52 °F | 90 mm / 3.5 in | good month |
| July | 22.1 °C / 72 °F | 13.4 °C / 56 °F | 39 mm / 1.5 in | best month |
| August | 21.9 °C / 71 °F | 13.7 °C / 57 °F | 59 mm / 2.3 in | best month |
| September | 18.4 °C / 65 °F | 11.4 °C / 53 °F | 144 mm / 5.7 in | good month |
| October | 12.8 °C / 55 °F | 7.3 °C / 45 °F | 253 mm / 10 in | neither best nor good |
| November | 7.9 °C / 46 °F | 3.6 °C / 38 °F | 362 mm / 14.2 in | neither best nor good |
| December | 5 °C / 41 °F | 1.3 °C / 34 °F | 304 mm / 12 in | neither best nor good |
Good and best months depend on more than temperature, rain and events. How they are chosen
Each activity on this page has its own good and best months, rated on twenty years of daily weather records. Which measures count, and how much, depends on the activity: humidity for exploring outdoors, wind for the beach, hiking and skiing, snow for skiing alone. Between them, the activities are rated on:
- Daytime highs
- Night-time lows
- How warm it feels
- Humidity
- How much of the day is sunny
- Hours of daylight
- Monthly rainfall
- How many days it rains
- Days of heavy rain
- Wind
- Snowfall and days with snow
- Major events, such as festivals
The chart shows the good and best months for exploring outdoors.
The event icon marks a month that an event lifts to good or best, such as a festival or a natural spectacle. Choose “Weather only” in the toolbar to rate the months on weather alone.
Best months by activity
Exploring outdoors
Mild days and nights, mostly dry and bright. The default for 'when should I go'.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: good
- JJune: good
- JJuly: best
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- July–August
- Good
- May–June, September
Vancouver's outdoor exploring window runs May to September, peaking in July-August with warm, dry, sunny days; October through April are cold, dark and dominated by heavy, near-constant rain.
Why these months
May · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 15.1 °C / 59 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, average daily high 16.1 °C / 61 °F, average daily low 8.3 °C / 47 °F, relative humidity 74%.
Against: wet days 12.4 days, precipitation 106 mm / 4.2 in, days with heavy rain 3.8 days.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, International Children's Festival, Whale-watching season.
June · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 18.2 °C / 65 °F, average daily high 18.4 °C / 65 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 77%, average daily low 11 °C / 52 °F, relative humidity 74%.
Against: wet days 11.2 days, precipitation 90 mm / 3.5 in, days with heavy rain 3 days.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Dragon Boat Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
July · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 22.7 °C / 73 °F, average daily high 22.1 °C / 72 °F, precipitation 39 mm / 1.5 in, share of daylight that is sunny 87%, wet days 5.1 days, days with heavy rain 1.4 days, average daily low 13.4 °C / 56 °F, relative humidity 72%.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Honda Celebration of Light.
Watch out for: Celebration of Light crowds and road closures, Wildfire risk.
August · best
In its favour: feels like (high) 22.5 °C / 73 °F, average daily high 21.9 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 59 mm / 2.3 in, share of daylight that is sunny 86%, wet days 6.9 days, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, average daily low 13.7 °C / 57 °F, relative humidity 75%.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Vancouver Pride Parade.
Watch out for: Wildfire risk.
September · good
In its favour: feels like (high) 18.2 °C / 65 °F, average daily high 18.4 °C / 65 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 78%, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F.
Against: precipitation 144 mm / 5.7 in, days with heavy rain 5 days, wet days 10.8 days, relative humidity 81%.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Salmon run and bear feeding season, Vancouver Fringe Festival.
Beach and swimming
Hot, dry and sunny. Penalises the monsoon hard.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: neither
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: neither
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: neither
No month is good for this in Vancouver.
Vancouver's air and sea never reach beach temperatures even at the height of summer (July-August highs around 22C, sea around 19C), and the cooler months bring heavy, near-constant rain on top of the cold; no month suits a beach trip.
Hiking and trekking
Cool enough to climb in, dry enough to enjoy, long enough days.
- JJanuary: neither
- FFebruary: neither
- MMarch: neither
- AApril: neither
- MMay: good
- JJune: good
- JJuly: best
- AAugust: best
- SSeptember: good
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: neither
- Best
- July–August
- Good
- May–June, September
July and August are best for hiking, with dry, mild, bright long days; May, June and September are good but wetter; October through April bring heavy rain, short dark days and lowland snow that make trails unappealing.
Why these months
May · good
In its favour: average daily high 16.1 °C / 61 °F, feels like (high) 15.1 °C / 59 °F, average daily low 8.3 °C / 47 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 75%, daylight per day 15.4 h, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.
Against: wet days 12.4 days, days with heavy rain 3.8 days, precipitation 106 mm / 4.2 in.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, International Children's Festival, Whale-watching season.
June · good
In its favour: average daily high 18.4 °C / 65 °F, feels like (high) 18.2 °C / 65 °F, average daily low 11 °C / 52 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 77%, daylight per day 16.2 h, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.
Against: wet days 11.2 days, days with heavy rain 3 days, precipitation 90 mm / 3.5 in.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Dragon Boat Festival, Vancouver International Jazz Festival.
July · best
In its favour: average daily high 22.1 °C / 72 °F, precipitation 39 mm / 1.5 in, wet days 5.1 days, days with heavy rain 1.4 days, average daily low 13.4 °C / 56 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 87%, daylight per day 15.7 h, feels like (high) 22.7 °C / 73 °F, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Honda Celebration of Light.
Watch out for: Celebration of Light crowds and road closures, Wildfire risk.
August · best
In its favour: average daily high 21.9 °C / 71 °F, precipitation 59 mm / 2.3 in, wet days 6.9 days, days with heavy rain 1.6 days, average daily low 13.7 °C / 57 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 86%, daylight per day 14.3 h, feels like (high) 22.5 °C / 73 °F, wind (daily max) 9 km/h / 6 mph.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Pacific National Exhibition (PNE), Vancouver Pride Parade.
Watch out for: Wildfire risk.
September · good
In its favour: average daily high 18.4 °C / 65 °F, feels like (high) 18.2 °C / 65 °F, average daily low 11.4 °C / 53 °F, share of daylight that is sunny 78%, daylight per day 12.6 h, wind (daily max) 10 km/h / 6 mph.
Against: precipitation 144 mm / 5.7 in, days with heavy rain 5 days, wet days 10.8 days.
Also on: Alaska cruise season, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, BC Lions CFL season, Salmon run and bear feeding season, Vancouver Fringe Festival.
Skiing and snow
Wants cold and snowfall; sunshine barely matters.
- JJanuary: best
- FFebruary: best
- MMarch: good
- AApril: neither
- MMay: neither
- JJune: neither
- JJuly: neither
- AAugust: neither
- SSeptember: neither
- OOctober: neither
- NNovember: neither
- DDecember: best
- Best
- December–February
- Good
- March
December through February bring the coldest temperatures and the heaviest, most consistent snow for skiing; March is still good but snow is thinning as it warms; April through November have little to no snow and are far too mild to ski.
Why these months
January · best
In its favour: snowfall 33 cm / 12.9 in, days with snow 9.2 days, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 8 mph, daylight per day 8.7 h.
Against: average daily high 5.6 °C / 42 °F, average daily low 1.7 °C / 35 °F.
Also on: Chinese New Year, Dine Out Vancouver, Vancouver Canucks NHL season.
February · best
In its favour: snowfall 28 cm / 11 in, days with snow 9.8 days, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 8 mph, daylight per day 10.2 h.
Against: average daily high 6.2 °C / 43 °F, average daily low 1.4 °C / 35 °F.
Also on: Canada Sevens rugby (HSBC SVNS), Chinese New Year, Dine Out Vancouver, Vancouver Canucks NHL season.
March · good
In its favour: days with snow 9.2 days, wind (daily max) 12 km/h / 8 mph, daylight per day 11.9 h.
Against: average daily high 8.7 °C / 48 °F, snowfall 21 cm / 8.4 in, average daily low 2.9 °C / 37 °F.
Also on: Cherry Blossom Festival, Vancouver Canucks NHL season.
December · best
In its favour: snowfall 40 cm / 15.6 in, days with snow 11.9 days, wind (daily max) 13 km/h / 8 mph, daylight per day 8.3 h.
Against: average daily high 5 °C / 41 °F, average daily low 1.3 °C / 34 °F.
Also on: PNE Winter Fair, Vancouver Canucks NHL season, Vancouver Christmas Market.
An activity is listed only where it applies: skiing at ski destinations, beach and swimming at beach destinations. The nearest ski area is Grouse Mountain, 14 km away.
Weather averages
Monthly averages over twenty years, 2006–2025. Highs, lows and precipitation are in the chart at the top.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feels like (high) | 2.9 °C | 3.3 °C | 6.1 °C | 9.6 °C | 15.1 °C | 18.2 °C | 22.7 °C | 22.5 °C | 18.2 °C | 11.4 °C | 5.6 °C | 2.2 °C |
| Days with heavy rain | 11.1 days | 6.6 days | 9.8 days | 6.1 days | 3.8 days | 3 days | 1.4 days | 1.6 days | 5 days | 8.9 days | 12 days | 11.1 days |
| Time rain usually falls | 7 am | 5 pm | 5 pm | 12 pm | 11 am | 12 pm | 11 am | 1 pm | 3 pm | 1 pm | 3 pm | 1 am |
| Sunshine per day | 4 h | 5.7 h | 7.2 h | 9.6 h | 11.5 h | 12.5 h | 13.7 h | 12.3 h | 9.7 h | 6.6 h | 4.2 h | 3.6 h |
| Relative humidity | 88% | 81% | 80% | 75% | 74% | 74% | 72% | 75% | 81% | 85% | 87% | 88% |
Sea temperature
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sea temperature 2022–2025 | 6.6 °C | 6.5 °C | 7.7 °C | 9.9 °C | 14 °C | 16.2 °C | 19.1 °C | 19.4 °C | 17.5 °C | 12.8 °C | 9.2 °C | 7.3 °C |
| Sea temperature (daily max) 2022–2025 | 6.7 °C | 6.6 °C | 7.9 °C | 10.1 °C | 14.3 °C | 16.5 °C | 19.4 °C | 19.7 °C | 17.7 °C | 12.9 °C | 9.2 °C | 7.4 °C |
- Very cold 10 °C or less
- Cold 10 to 15 °C
- Cool 15 to 20 °C
- Comfortable 20 to 25 °C
- Warm 25 to 28 °C
- Very warm over 28 °C
The words describe how the water feels to swim in. They are ours, not an official standard.
Air quality
Averaged over a shorter period (2022–2025) than the twenty-year averages above, and not counted towards good or best months.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Air pollution (PM2.5) 2022–2025 | 10.8 µg/m³ | 9.9 µg/m³ | 11.6 µg/m³ | 12.2 µg/m³ | 13.1 µg/m³ | 13.2 µg/m³ | 12.6 µg/m³ | 16 µg/m³ | 14.6 µg/m³ | 12.5 µg/m³ | 11.4 µg/m³ | 9 µg/m³ |
| Air pollution (PM2.5, daily peak) 2022–2025 | 19.1 µg/m³ | 16.9 µg/m³ | 20.2 µg/m³ | 20.7 µg/m³ | 21 µg/m³ | 20.7 µg/m³ | 19.9 µg/m³ | 24.4 µg/m³ | 22.7 µg/m³ | 20.7 µg/m³ | 20.6 µg/m³ | 15.7 µg/m³ |
- Good 15 µg/m³ or less
- Fair 15 to 25 µg/m³
- Moderate 25 to 37.5 µg/m³
- Poor 37.5 to 50 µg/m³
- Very poor 50 to 75 µg/m³
- Extremely poor over 75 µg/m³
Each figure is compared with the World Health Organization's guideline for a day's air, 15 µg/m³ or less, and with its interim targets above that. The words are ours: the WHO does not name its steps. The figures are modelled monthly averages, so single days can be well above them. The daily peak is the average of each day's highest hour, shaded on the same scale.
Events and seasons
What the weather records cannot show. A major event can lift a month to good or best. The warnings are there to help you plan, and never count against a month.
Reasons to go
- Dine Out Vancouver
20 January–5 February, dates vary from year to year
- Chinese New Year
January and February, dates vary from year to year
- Vancouver Canucks NHL season
January, February, March, April, October, November and December
- Canada Sevens rugby (HSBC SVNS)
21–28 February, dates vary from year to year
- Cherry Blossom Festival
March and April
- Alaska cruise season
21 April–10 October
- International Children's Festival
May
- Whale-watching season
May
- Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival
May, June, July, August and September
- Vancouver International Jazz Festival
June
- Dragon Boat Festival
June
- BC Lions CFL season
June, July, August, September, October and November
- Honda Celebration of Light
22–31 July
- Pacific National Exhibition (PNE)
August
- Vancouver Pride Parade
1–7 August
- Vancouver Fringe Festival
September
- Salmon run and bear feeding season
September
- Vancouver International Film Festival
October
- Vancouver Christmas Market
November and December
- EAT! Vancouver food festival
1–7 November
- PNE Winter Fair
December
Worth knowing before you go
- Wildfire risk
July and August
- Celebration of Light crowds and road closures
22–31 July