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Usual weather in British Columbia

Do you need to know, when is the best time to go to British Columbia? Then you should take a look here, what weather you can expect there during the year.

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What weather to expect in British Columbia

British Columbia is part of Canada. Canada is a huge country, so the climate here varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north. Winters are sometimes tough, especially in the interior, where the climate is continental. You can expect snow in some places for five months of the year. Southern coastal parts of Canada have a temperate climate, with mild and rainy winters and quite warm summers.

When speaking about the usual weather in this area, the information is relevant for example for these popular places: 100 Mile House, Abbotsford, Alert Bay, Apex Mountain Ski Resort, Armstrong, Arrowsmith Coombs Country, Bamfield, Bella Bella, Big White, Bowen Island, Bridge River Valley, Burnaby, Cache Creek, Campbell River, Cape Scott Provincial Park, Cariboo, Castlegar, Cathedral Provincial Park, Cawston, Central Vancouver Island, Chemainus, Chilliwack, Clearwater, Columbia Rockies, Comox, Coquitlam, Courtenay, Cranbrook, Creston, D'Arcy Island, Dawson Creek, Delta, Desolation Sound, Discovery Islands, East Kootenays, Enderby, Fairmont Hot Springs, Fauquier, Fernie, Field, Fort Nelson, Fort St John, Fraser Valley, Galiano Island, Garibaldi Provincial Park, Glacier National Park, Golden, Grand Forks, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, Haida Gwaii, Hamber Provincial Park, Harrison Hot Springs, Hope, Horsefly Lake Provincial Park, Invermere, Juan de Fuca Provincial Park, Kamloops, Kaslo, Kelowna, Kent, Keremeos, Kimberley, Kokanee Glacier Provincial Park, Kootenay National Park, Kootenays, Ladysmith, Lake Country, Langford, Langley, Lighthouse Country, Lillooet, Lions Bay Britannia Beach, Lower Mainland, Lund, Lytton, Manning Provincial Park, Maple Ridge, Mayne Island, McBride, Merritt, Mission, Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park, Mount Baldy, Mount Robson Provincial Park, Mt. Washington Alpine Resort, Muncho Lake Provincial Park, Naikoon Provincial Park, Nakusp, Nanaimo, Nelson, New Denver, New Westminster, North Shore, North Vancouver, North Vancouver Island, North and Central Coast, Northern British Columbia, Okanagan, Okanagan Falls, Oliver, Osoyoos, Outer Islands and Mainland Inlets, Parksville Qualicum Beach, Peachland, Pemberton, Pender Harbour and Egmont, Pender Island, Penticton, Pitt Meadows, Port Alberni, Port Hardy, Port Moody, Port Renfrew, Powell River, Prince George, Prince Rupert, Princeton, Quadra Island, Quesnel, Radium Hot Springs, Revelstoke, Richmond, Rossland, Salmon Arm, Salt Spring Island, Sandspit, Saturna Island, Savary Island, Sea to Sky, Shuswap, Sicamous, Sidney, Silver Star, Similkameen, Smithers, Sooke, South Vancouver Island, Southern Gulf Islands, Squamish, Stewart, Strathcona Provincial Park, Summerland, Sun Peaks, Sunshine Coast, Surrey, Tatshenshini Alsek Provincial Park, Telegraph Cove, Terrace, Tete Jaune Cache, Thompson Nicola, Thompson Okanagan, Tofino, Trail, Ucluelet, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Vancouver eastern suburbs, Vancouver southern suburbs, Vanderhoof, Vernon, Victoria, West Kelowna, West Kootenays, West Vancouver, Whistler, White Rock, Williams Lake, Yoho National Park.

Let's look now what weather you can expect in the area around Vancouver and in many other cities. The warmest month here is July, the average maximum temperature is 22.4 ℃ (72.32 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 13.6 ℃ (56.48 ℉). The coldest month here is January, the average maximum temperature is 6.4 ℃ (43.52 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 0.7 ℃ (33.26 ℉). The most rainy month here is December, the average number of rainy days is 19.5. The least rainy month here is August, the average number of rainy days is 6.7.

When travelling around British Columbia, always consider the altitude of the the place as well. We should remind you, that the highest point in Canada is Mount Logan (5959 m) and the lowest point is Atlantic Ocean (0 m). So there are huge differences in altitudes in this country and the weather is very different in them therefore. Keep in mind, that the temperature usually decreases by 1.2 - 1.9 ℃ (2.2 - 3.5 ℉) per 200 m (656 ft), depending on the other conditions. (And we should add, that in the very special condition named thermal inversion even the temperature may be higher in higher altitudes.)

Please, keep in mind, that this is not a weather forecast, but the information about the usual weather (average). This should help you to decide, when is the best time to go to British Columbia. Read more details about the typical weather there in all individual months below:

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

January

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in January is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in January is 6.4 ℃ (43.52 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 0.7 ℃ (33.26 ℉). At the beginning of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 6.45 ℃ (43.61 ℉). At the end of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.3 ℃ (45.14 ℉). The average number of rainy days in January is 18.8. The average rainfall is 155.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 8:16 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 8:39 and at the end of the month 9:19.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

February

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in February is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in February is 8.2 ℃ (46.76 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 1.7 ℃ (35.06 ℉). At the beginning of February you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.3 ℃ (45.14 ℉). At the end of February you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 9.25 ℃ (48.65 ℉). The average number of rainy days in February is 16.2. The average rainfall is 124.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 9:19 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 10:07 and at the end of the month 11:00.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

March

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in March is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in March is 10.3 ℃ (50.54 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 3.3 ℃ (37.94 ℉). At the beginning of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 9.25 ℃ (48.65 ℉). At the end of March you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 11.85 ℃ (53.33 ℉). The average number of rainy days in March is 17.3. The average rainfall is 114.4 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:00 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:54 and at the end of the month 12:49.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

April

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in April is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in April is 13.4 ℃ (56.12 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 5.6 ℃ (42.08 ℉). At the beginning of April you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 11.85 ℃ (53.33 ℉). At the end of April you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 14.85 ℃ (58.73 ℉). The average number of rainy days in April is 14.2. The average rainfall is 84.6 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 12:49 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 13:43 and at the end of the month 14:33.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

May

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in May is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in May is 16.3 ℃ (61.34 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 8.5 ℃ (47.3 ℉). At the beginning of May you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 14.85 ℃ (58.73 ℉). At the end of May you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 17.8 ℃ (64.04 ℉). The average number of rainy days in May is 13. The average rainfall is 67.7 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 14:33 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 15:18 and at the end of the month 15:53.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

June

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in June is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in June is 19.3 ℃ (66.74 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 11.3 ℃ (52.34 ℉). At the beginning of June you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 17.8 ℃ (64.04 ℉). At the end of June you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.85 ℃ (69.53 ℉). The average number of rainy days in June is 11. The average rainfall is 55.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 15:53 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 16:11 and at the end of the month 16:11.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

July

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in July is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in July is 22.4 ℃ (72.32 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 13.6 ℃ (56.48 ℉). At the beginning of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.85 ℃ (69.53 ℉). At the end of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 22.2 ℃ (71.96 ℉). The average number of rainy days in July is 7.1. The average rainfall is 39.5 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 16:11 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 15:51 and at the end of the month 15:16.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

August

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in August is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in August is 22 ℃ (71.6 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 13.3 ℃ (55.94 ℉). At the beginning of August you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 22.2 ℃ (71.96 ℉). At the end of August you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.45 ℃ (68.81 ℉). The average number of rainy days in August is 6.7. The average rainfall is 39.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 15:16 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 14:31 and at the end of the month 13:41.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

September

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in September is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in September is 18.9 ℃ (66.02 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 10.7 ℃ (51.26 ℉). At the beginning of September you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 20.45 ℃ (68.81 ℉). At the end of September you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 16.45 ℃ (61.61 ℉). The average number of rainy days in September is 8.4. The average rainfall is 52.8 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 13:41 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 12:48 and at the end of the month 11:54.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

October

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in October is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in October is 14 ℃ (57.2 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 6.8 ℃ (44.24 ℉). At the beginning of October you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 16.45 ℃ (61.61 ℉). At the end of October you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 11.55 ℃ (52.79 ℉). The average number of rainy days in October is 14.6. The average rainfall is 114.9 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:54 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:00 and at the end of the month 10:08.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

November

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in November is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in November is 9.1 ℃ (48.38 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 3.3 ℃ (37.94 ℉). At the beginning of November you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 11.55 ℃ (52.79 ℉). At the end of November you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.8 ℃ (46.04 ℉). The average number of rainy days in November is 19.4. The average rainfall is 185.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 10:08 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 9:20 and at the end of the month 8:41.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

December

Typical (usual) weather in British Columbia in December is this: The average highest temperature in British Columbia in December is 6.5 ℃ (43.7 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 1 ℃ (33.8 ℉). At the beginning of December you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.8 ℃ (46.04 ℉). At the end of December you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 6.45 ℃ (43.61 ℉). The average number of rainy days in December is 19.5. The average rainfall is 176.8 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 8:41 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 8:16 and at the end of the month 8:12.These numbers above are valid primarily for the capital and the area around it. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

Below are average values, so you can consider them typical weather in British Columbia in these places. The sign '-' means we don't have enough data for this item.

Vancouvertemperature: - highest temperature: 6.5 ℃ (43.7 ℉)lowest temperature: 1 ℃ (33.8 ℉)rainfall: 176.8mmrainy days: 19.5
Prince Ruperttemperature: - highest temperature: 5.3 ℃ (41.54 ℉)lowest temperature: -0.6 ℃ (30.92 ℉)rainfall: 297.2mmrainy days: 22.2
Kamloopstemperature: - highest temperature: 0.3 ℃ (32.54 ℉)lowest temperature: -5.9 ℃ (21.38 ℉)rainfall: 29.4mmrainy days: 11.6
Cranbrooktemperature: - highest temperature: -2.9 ℃ (26.78 ℉)lowest temperature: -10.5 ℃ (13.1 ℉)rainfall: 33.9mmrainy days: 12.2
Prince Georgetemperature: - highest temperature: -3.9 ℃ (24.98 ℉)lowest temperature: -11.4 ℃ (11.48 ℉)rainfall: 52.2mmrainy days: 16.3
Victoriatemperature: - highest temperature: 7.1 ℃ (44.78 ℉)lowest temperature: 1.2 ℃ (34.16 ℉)rainfall: 154.7mmrainy days: 18.5




When you read about the number of mm of rainfall, you should know this: Light rain is when the precipitation rate is less than 2.5 mm (0.1 in) per hour. For moderate rain this number is between 2.5 mm and 10 mm (0.4 in), for heavy rain it is 10 mm - 50 mm (2.0 in). Violent rain has this number higher than 50 mm per hour.