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Vancouver, Canada · Temperate oceanic

Vancouver in January: go or not?

Tough period. Vancouver in January only reaches 0.6/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 49.28°N · 123.12°W
⚡ This month's verdict
Avoid
Vancouver · January
0.6
2–6°
Temperature
58%
Rain
2h
Sun
🌊 Seaside☀️ Bright🍴 Gastronomy
Photo : Alejandro Luengo via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in January

Winter in Vancouver is cool (6.0°C during the day). Days are short (1.9h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 58.0% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.

January ranks 9 out of 12 months in Vancouver. Compared to December: 7 pts fewer rainy days.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index
1 · low
no protection needed
Feels like
dry air
2°
Sea
7°C
cold, for the brave
Daylight
8.4h of daylight
Air quality
good
AQI 21
Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Vancouver is July (8.4/10), 7.8 pts higher than January.

See July →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Vancouver is the most accessible city for Europeans on the Pacific coast of Canada: Pacific on one side, mountains (North Shore Mountains) on the other. July is my favourite month (9.1/10): 15-22°C, 15% rain, finally clear skies, swimming at Kits Beach and English Bay, hiking at Grouse Mountain.

Read Gilles' full review →

Book

Plan your trip

Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.

🏨
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Vancouver
Expedia →
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Vancouver

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
Practical info

What you need to know before you go

Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a beach holiday.

Country · Canada

🗣️LanguageEnglish
💶CurrencyCanadian Dollar ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘModerate · 3/5

🌡️ Climate

🌍Climate typeTemperate oceanic
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthJuly · 22°C
❄️Coolest monthJanuary · 6°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘDecember · 65%

🏖️ Beach holiday

📅Peak seasonJuin → Sept
🏖️Swell (Sept–Mar) ⓘModérée
Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
SeattleUSAWhistlerCanadaPortlandUnited StatesRevelstokeCanadaMachu PicchuPeru
Nearby
Big WhiteCanada306 kmLake LouiseCanada547 kmBanffCanada577 kmSun ValleyUnited States913 km
Other top picks
JordanJordan4.4PetraJordan4.4LilongweMalawi4.5HarareZimbabwe4.6BrisbaneAustralia5.3
← DecemberFebruary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Vancouver ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Canada
Temperate oceanic climate with a 8.4 → 0.5 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
49.28°N · 123.12°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Vancouver?
July is the best month with 22.0°C highs, 15.0°C lows, 9.3h of sunshine and 15.0% rainy days. The months of July & August offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Vancouver get in July?
Vancouver averages 9.3 sunshine hours per day in July. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 7.9/10.
What is the rainiest month in Vancouver?
December is the most unfavourable month with December has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Vancouver in July?
In July, overnight lows reach 15.0°C, while afternoon highs average 22.0°C.
Is Vancouver good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Vancouver scores 0.6/10 on average — Difficult period — prefer the peak season.. The best month overall remains July with a score of 7.9/10.
When should you avoid Vancouver?
December is the most difficult month to visit Vancouver, with December has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Vancouver in January?
In January, the sea averages 7°C in Vancouver: cold, for the brave. Best left to hardened swimmers or those with a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Vancouver in January?
The average UV index reaches 1 in January in Vancouver (low), with about 8.4h of daylight. No protection needed.