The best times to visit British Columbia for ideal weather are
July 2nd to September 23rd
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
British Columbia Travel Guide
Other British Columbia Travel Info
Weather in British Columbia
Temperature
Average temperatures in British Columbia vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold for most of the year with a fair chance of precipitation about half of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 25th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit British Columbia, the hottest months are August, July, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid August where highs are regularly around 67.1°F (19.5°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 50.1°F (10.1°C) at night.
British Columbia Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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British Columbia Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
British Columbia Perceived Temperature (F)
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British Columbia Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average British Columbia Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 40.2 | 34.9 | 29.8 |
| Feb | 42 | 35.6 | 29.9 |
| Mar | 44.4 | 37.8 | 31.3 |
| Apr | 49.3 | 42.1 | 35.1 |
| May | 56.3 | 48.3 | 40.6 |
| Jun | 60.2 | 52.5 | 45 |
| Jul | 64.8 | 56.6 | 48.8 |
| Aug | 65.4 | 57 | 49.5 |
| Sep | 61.9 | 53.7 | 46.5 |
| Oct | 53.4 | 46.9 | 41.2 |
| Nov | 44.7 | 39.2 | 34 |
| Dec | 39 | 33.9 | 29 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.6 | 1.6 | -1.2 |
| Feb | 5.6 | 2 | -1.2 |
| Mar | 6.9 | 3.2 | -0.4 |
| Apr | 9.6 | 5.6 | 1.7 |
| May | 13.5 | 9.1 | 4.8 |
| Jun | 15.7 | 11.4 | 7.2 |
| Jul | 18.2 | 13.7 | 9.3 |
| Aug | 18.6 | 13.9 | 9.7 |
| Sep | 16.6 | 12.1 | 8.1 |
| Oct | 11.9 | 8.3 | 5.1 |
| Nov | 7.1 | 4 | 1.1 |
| Dec | 3.9 | 1.1 | -1.7 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in British Columbia are July, May, and then June. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early June. For example, on the week of June 4th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid October with an average of 2 days of significant precipitation the week of October 15th.
When can you find snow in British Columbia? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around February, especially close to early to mid May. The best time to ski (if at all) in British Columbia is often around around December 17th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in British Columbia.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in British Columbia (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18% | 9.1 | 2.2 |
| Feb | 16% | 11.9 | 1.8 |
| Mar | 14% | 11.8 | 1.5 |
| Apr | 13% | 5.8 | 1.2 |
| May | 11% | 7.8 | 1.2 |
| Jun | 11% | 0 | 1.2 |
| Jul | 10% | 0.6 | 1.4 |
| Aug | 12% | 0.4 | 1.4 |
| Sep | 15% | 0.4 | 1.8 |
| Oct | 20% | 1.6 | 2.8 |
| Nov | 19% | 2.1 | 2.3 |
| Dec | 17% | 6.2 | 2.2 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18 | 23.1 | 5.6 |
| Feb | 16 | 30.2 | 4.6 |
| Mar | 14 | 30 | 3.8 |
| Apr | 13 | 14.7 | 3 |
| May | 11 | 19.8 | 3 |
| Jun | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| Jul | 10 | 1.5 | 3.6 |
| Aug | 12 | 1 | 3.6 |
| Sep | 15 | 1 | 4.6 |
| Oct | 20 | 4.1 | 7.1 |
| Nov | 19 | 5.3 | 5.8 |
| Dec | 17 | 15.7 | 5.6 |
Humidity and Wind
British Columbia has some extremely humid months, and high humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is April (70.4% relative humidity), and the most humid month is January (84.5%).
Wind in British Columbia is usually moderate. The windiest month is January, followed by November and March. January’s average wind speed of around 10 knots (11.5 MPH or 18.5 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid November where average top sustained speeds reach 19.1 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in British Columbia.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 10 | Gentle breeze | 16 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.7 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 9.8 | Gentle breeze | 16.9 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 9.4 | Gentle breeze | 16 | Significant breeze |
| May | 8 | Gentle breeze | 14 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 7.7 | Gentle breeze | 13.6 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 7.9 | Gentle breeze | 13.3 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 12.8 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 8 | Gentle breeze | 14.1 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 9.2 | Gentle breeze | 15.8 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 9.9 | Gentle breeze | 16.9 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.9 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 84.5% |
| Feb | 78.2% |
| Mar | 74.1% |
| Apr | 70.4% |
| May | 71.5% |
| Jun | 74.9% |
| Jul | 77.2% |
| Aug | 79.1% |
| Sep | 78.7% |
| Oct | 81% |
| Nov | 81.7% |
| Dec | 81.9% |
Is it Safe to Travel to British Columbia?
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The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in British Columbia, Canada is July, followed by May and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit British Columbia in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall British Columbia Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel moderately cold. Highs range from 59.5°F (15.3°C) and 41.3°F (5.2°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 3 to 4 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is fairly slow for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have comfortably cool weather with high temperatures that are brisk. These months see the least precipitation with 3 to 4 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in British Columbia, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 64.5°F (18.1°C) and 41.9°F (5.5°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a significant amount: 4 to 6 days per month. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in British Columbia to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 43.5°F (6.4°C) and 37.9°F (3.3°C). On average, it rains or snows a fair amount: 5 to 6 times per month. These times of year are the slowest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Canada › British Columbia, Canada