Vancouver Weather Forecast for Winter
For your winter-time Vancouver weather forecast – look for Christmas lights in the rain. Daylight hrs diminish and those Christmas lights twinkle through the raindrops and brighten the night. I prefer a nice, cozy green Christmas with the lights glittering on the rain-covered trees to a snowy, white Christmas with its associated travel troubles! But then I did grow up in Vancouver.
The winter is a tad on the dark and gloomy side with low grey clouds and early sunsets. Temperatures hover between 6 - 8°C (42 to 47°F) with occasional dips below freezing. An excellent time for some indoor explorations. Vancouver's Science World is aimed at kids but the hands-on science exhibits (read: toys) are fun to play around with for grown-up kids too. Or visit the Museum of Anthropology at UBC to see BC First Nations art (my favourite is Bill Reid’s Raven and the First Men – you can see an image on the CDN $20 bill). Or check out the Bloedel Conservatory at Queen Elizabeth Park for a fix of tropical plants and exotic birds. Frost on the leaves on an early January walk. Vancouver weather in winter often dips just below freezing at night, low enough for a white dusting of frost in the morning.  Despite Vancouver's reputation for rain, we only actually average 166 days of "measurable precipitation" compared to 289 days of "measurable sunshine". However, many days are gloomy and grey, and the weather system known as the "Pineapple Express" brings winter rainstorms that can last over two weeks. Skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing are de rigueur in the Vancouver winter. Whistler is the place if money is no object, but Cypress, Seymour and Grouse offer excellent slopes as well, nearer to the city and cheaper. And Manning Park is a great place for cross-country skiing.
Every winter does see some snow in the city as well, but it melts quickly. The temperature hovers near freezing on snow days, often turning road surfaces to slush and ice and causing severe traffic trouble. Nonetheless, such conditions rarely last longer than a few days at most. Key items to remember: Warm sweaters, long pants, a warm jacket, scarf, gloves and boots. And that indispensable umbrella! Or change your mind and come in the spring-time instead! |
Christmas Lights brighten up the dark evenings around Vancouver.
A beautiful sunny winter day out on the beach just outside the Vancouver Maritime Museum. Looks like summer – almost.