Canada Vancouver Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Vancouver is Low
January is Low for Vancouver.
January is Vancouver's best value month — wet but functional, plus the largest culinary festival in Canada. 'Dine Out Vancouver' (mid-Jan to early Feb) puts 250+ restaurants on $25/$35/$45/$55 prix fixe menus — including Michelin-class spots at half their normal price.
Whistler ski season peaks (Dec-Apr). Sea-to-Sky Highway 2 hours from downtown + Peak 2 Peak gondola + skiing. Downtown hotels offer ski packages (round-trip shuttle + lift ticket) at CAD 350-500/night. Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are 30-40 min from downtown.
Travel score
Vancouver January Weather Stats
Avg High
6°C
Avg Low
1°C
Rainy Days
19
155mm total
Sunshine
1.8h
Daily avg
Humidity
83%
Very humid
UV Index
1
Low
Wind
14 km/h
Gusts 32
Sea Temp
7°C
Not swimmable
Snow Days
1
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 1 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
8 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
Excellent
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
4°C
Nighttime
-2°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
14 km/h
Max gust 32 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Winter low season — hotels 30-40% off, the year's best value
- Whistler ski season — 2hr from downtown + ski packages
- Dine Out Vancouver — Michelin-class on $25-$55 menus
Cons
- Rain 19 days/month + cloud cover + only 1.8 sunshine hours
- No outdoor activities outside Whistler — indoor focus
- Stanley Park/Capilano photogenic but often rainy
January Events & Festivals
- Dine Out Vancouver — mid-Jan to early Feb (3 weeks culinary festival)
- Lunar New Year prep (late January)
- Winter low season — hotels 30-40% off
Vancouver in January — Full Picture
January is Vancouver's best value month — wet but functional, plus the largest culinary festival in Canada. 'Dine Out Vancouver' (mid-Jan to early Feb) puts 250+ restaurants on $25/$35/$45/$55 prix fixe menus — including Michelin-class spots at half their normal price.
Whistler ski season peaks (Dec-Apr). Sea-to-Sky Highway 2 hours from downtown + Peak 2 Peak gondola + skiing. Downtown hotels offer ski packages (round-trip shuttle + lift ticket) at CAD 350-500/night. Grouse Mountain and Cypress Mountain are 30-40 min from downtown.
Indoor essentials for rainy days: VAG + Vancouver Aquarium + Science World + UBC Museum of Anthropology + Granville Island Public Market (indoor since 1979, 50+ food stalls + 50+ artisan shops). Robson Street shopping. Michelin lunch picks: Hawksworth, Miku, Joe Fortes, Vij's.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Winter wet season. Waterproof jacket with hood + waterproof boots essential. Light down jacket + rain shell layered (heavy parka not needed). Locals skip umbrellas — hoods only. Temperatures rarely below freezing.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
13°C
5.3°C
14.3/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
21°C
12.3°C
8.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
13.7°C
7°C
14.3/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current6.7°C
1.3°C
18/mo
Vancouver Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6° | 1° | 19d·155mm | 1.8h | 83% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 8° | 2° | 16d·110mm | 3.5h | 80% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 3° | 17d·115mm | 5h | 76% | 3 | Quiet | Shoulder | |
| 13° | 5° | 14d·85mm | 7h | 72% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 16° | 8° | 12d·65mm | 8.5h | 68% | 6 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| June (Best) | 19° | 11° | 11d·55mm | 9h | 67% | 7 | Busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 22° | 13° | 7d·40mm | 11h | 63% | 8 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 22° | 13° | 7d·38mm | 11h | 63% | 7 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 19° | 11° | 9d·55mm | 7.5h | 70% | 5 | Moderate | Shoulder |
| 13° | 7° | 15d·120mm | 4h | 78% | 3 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 9° | 3° | 19d·195mm | 2h | 82% | 1 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 6° | 1° | 19d·165mm | 1.5h | 83% | 1 | Busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Vancouver January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Vancouver?
Vancouver in January is Low. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Vancouver in January?
Vancouver January averages a high of 6°C and a low of 1°C.
Does it rain much in Vancouver in January?
Vancouver January averages 155mm of rainfall over about 19 rainy days.
What should I wear in Vancouver in January?
Winter wet season. Waterproof jacket with hood + waterproof boots essential. Light down jacket + rain shell layered (heavy parka not needed). Locals skip umbrellas — hoods only. Temperatures rarely below freezing.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Vancouver in January?
Vancouver January sunrise is 08:08 and sunset is 16:32, with 8h 24m of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Vancouver in January?
Vancouver January air quality (AQI) averages 28, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 8μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Vancouver in January?
In January, Vancouver is great for Whistler 1-night ski, VAG + Museum of Anthropology, Dine Out Vancouver.
Is January peak season in Vancouver?
Vancouver January crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Vancouver
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.