What to Wear in Vancouver
Canada · 6 monthly packing guides
Vancouver runs Pacific Northwest Canadian athleisure-creative — Lululemon, Aritzia, technical-cashmere, leather sneakers, packable rain shells. Aritzia (Vancouver-founded 1984, the most-cited Canadian women's contemporary, multiple Robson Street flagships), Lululemon (Vancouver-founded 1998 — the original yoga-and-athleisure brand, the original 4th Avenue Kitsilano store + multiple Robson flagships), Reigning Champ (Vancouver-founded 2007, premium fleece-and-tee menswear), Wings + Horns (Vancouver-founded 2005, premium menswear), Kit and Ace (Vancouver-founded 2014, technical-cashmere), Arc'teryx (North Vancouver-founded 1989, the most-cited PNW-Canadian outdoor heritage), Roots (Toronto-founded 1973 but ubiquitous). The PNW pattern: short rain bursts develop fast; locals don't carry umbrellas — packable rain shell mandatory. Wildfire-smoke risk peaks August-September. Vancouver Pride early August. Honda Celebration of Light fireworks late July through early August.
Choose your month below to match your layers and shoes to the weather. Across the months covered, average daily lows reach 1°C / 34°F in January; average highs reach 23°C / 73°F in July.
Compare Vancouver by month
Monthly averages help compare packing needs; check the forecast before departure. Only months with published guides are listed. See the source notes below for station and measurement differences. Scroll across the table to see all weather details on a small screen.
| Month | Average low | Average high | Rain days | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January packing guide | 1°C / 34°F | 7°C / 45°F | 19 | 8h 40m |
| May packing guide | 9°C / 48°F | 18°C / 64°F | 13 | 15h |
| June packing guide | 12°C / 54°F | 21°C / 70°F | 11 | 16h |
| July packing guide | 14°C / 57°F | 23°C / 73°F | 7 | 15h 50m |
| August packing guide | 14°C / 57°F | 23°C / 73°F | 6 | 14h 25m |
| December packing guide | 1°C / 34°F | 7°C / 45°F | 19 | 8h 15m |
Choose your Vancouver packing list
Vancouver in January: 7°C / 45°F afternoons, 1°C / 34°F nights, about 19 wet days, a New Year's Day swim in 7°C water and the odd snow day.
In this capsule: Cardinal red hooded long down parka; Black racerback one-piece swimsuit; Navy hooded towelling changing poncho.
Vancouver in May is Pacific Northwest Canadian late spring — 18°C / 64°F afternoons, 9°C / 48°F mornings, 13 rain days, the Coast Mountains still snow-capped.
In this capsule: Mid-weight cardigan or wool sweater — Aritzia, Kit and Ace, Reigning Champ; Cotton/wool blend long-sleeve base — neutral; Packable rain shell — Patagonia, Arc'teryx (Vancouver-North-Vancouver-founded 1989).
Vancouver in June is PNW Canadian early summer — 21°C / 70°F afternoons, 12°C / 54°F mornings, 11 rain days, daylight 16h.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Mid-weight cardigan — Aritzia, Kit and Ace, Lululemon Define jacket; Dark denim or technical pants — Aritzia, Lululemon Align.
Vancouver in July is peak PNW Canadian summer — 23°C / 73°F afternoons, 14°C / 57°F nights, 7 rain days. Canada Day July 1; Honda Celebration of Light late July.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Light cardigan — Aritzia, Kit and Ace, Lululemon Define jacket; Dark denim or technical pants — Aritzia, Lululemon.
Vancouver in August is peak summer continuing — 23°C / 73°F afternoons, 14°C / 57°F nights, 6 rain days. Vancouver Pride early August; PNE late August.
In this capsule: Lightweight cotton tee + cotton dress; Light cardigan — Aritzia, Kit and Ace; Dark denim or technical pants — Aritzia, Lululemon.
Vancouver in December: 7°C / 45°F afternoons, 1°C / 34°F nights, about 19 rainy days, and snow, perhaps, half an hour up the mountain.
In this capsule: Dark teal hooded rain shell; Heather grey chunky turtleneck; Stone grey quilted down jacket, stand collar.
Climate sources by month
These credits follow the source recorded on each monthly guide. Climate figures inform the packing advice; outfit combinations and illustrations are editorial suggestions.
- January: NOAA NCEI · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normalsEnvironment and Climate Change Canada operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed this month's figures from its global-summary-of-the-month records for the airport (CAN01108447, joined to its successor CAN01108395), 30 Januaries. Rain days count days with 0.01 in (0.25 mm) or more of rain or melted snow.
- May: Environment and Climate Change Canada · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normals
- June: Environment and Climate Change Canada · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normals
- July: Environment and Climate Change Canada · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normals
- August: Environment and Climate Change Canada · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normals
- December: NOAA NCEI · Vancouver International Airport (YVR) · 1991–2020 normalsEnvironment and Climate Change Canada operates the station; NOAA NCEI computed this month's figures from its global-summary-of-the-month records for the airport (CAN01108447, joined to its successor CAN01108395), 29–30 Decembers. Rain days count days with 0.01 in (0.25 mm) or more of rain or melted snow.
Frequently asked questions
Start with your travel month. The 6 published guides cover January, May, June, July, August, December. Compare the average low as well as the high: among these months, January has the lowest average low at 1°C / 34°F, while July has the highest average high at 23°C / 73°F. For a trip spanning two months, read both lists before deciding which layers to bring.
No. They are monthly climate averages for planning, not temperatures promised for a particular day or hour. Check the local forecast close to departure and adjust your layers and rain protection. The source, station and averaging period are listed for each month where recorded; different stations or rain-day definitions can affect comparisons.
No. Treat the capsule as a set of clothing functions: walking shoes, a base outfit, weather protection and any change for dinner or a venue's dress code. Start with equivalents you own. Adjust quantities to your trip length and laundry access; the illustrations are outfit suggestions, not a shopping requirement.