Does it Snow in Vancouver? If you’re wondering about snow in Vancouver, then I got you covered.
YES, it does snow in Vancouver. However, in comparison to the rest of Canada, the amount of snow here is minimal.
The city’s average annual snowfall is about 15 inches, but rain occurs more frequently.
Snowstorms are uncommon in Vancouver, yet even a light snowfall can inflict substantial damage.
Canada is widely regarded as a frigid and snowy country.
However, this is not the case because the temperature varies per city.
Some cities, such as Vancouver, have months of sunshine throughout the year. Even in a sunny location, there are still cloudy days.
In this post, I will answer in detail the question “does it snow in Vancouver?”
Let’s get started.
Does it Snow in Vancouver?
As previously noted, the answer is YES, it does snow in Vancouver.
Vancouver is the capital of the British Columbia province in Canada.
It has a population of 631,486 people and spans an area of 114.97 square kilometers, making it the most densely inhabited city in Canada.
Vancouver is well-known for being one of the world’s most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities.
The city is consistently ranked among the top five most livable cities in the world and is the most expensive city in Canada to live in.
Snowfall is a typical occurrence in Vancouver during the winter season, which lasts from December through February.
In certain years, snow can fall as early as October, while in others, snow can fall as late as April.
After 11 snowfall days, Vancouver averages 15 inches (380 mm) of snowfall every year.
Climate of Vancouver
Vancouver’s climate is oceanic, chilly, and humid, with moderate, rainy winters and cool, sunny summers.
The west coast of Canada is the only region where the average temperature remains above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even in winter, and Vancouver is the only large city that does not have a freezing winter.
Precipitation is plentiful, totaling 1,200 millimeters per year, but it exceeds 1,600 mm in the northern suburbs, closer to the mountains.
Winter, which runs from December to February, is fairly cold.
In fact, the maximum temperature is approximately 7/8 °C, but it is far milder than the rest of Canada.
Temperatures are comparable to those found in cities such as London and Paris.
Although the climate is generally milder than the rest of Canada, there can be cold periods, even in November, when temperatures can plummet to -12 °C (10.5 °F) or lower.
The coldest temperature ever recorded was -17.8 °C (0 °F) in January 1950.
Snowfall in Vancouver averages 38 centimeters (15 inches) per year, falling across 8 days.
Summer is cold but sunny, with maximum temperatures ranging between 20 °C and 23 °C (68 °F and 73 °F), however the Pacific high-pressure system offers more days of favorable weather than the rest of Canada.
When Does it Snow in Vancouver?
November
In Vancouver, November is a cold month.
The city’s temperatures range from highs of 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (7.6 degrees Celsius) to lows of 41 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius).
In addition, November is the first month when it usually snows in Vancouver, with a snow accumulation of 6 mm (0.24 inches) after 0.7 snowfall days.
December
In Vancouver, December is the first month of winter weather.
Despite the fact that temperatures in the city are cooler than those reported in November, they rarely drop below freezing.
In December, average temperatures in the city vary from 40.5 degrees Fahrenheit (4.7 degrees Celsius) to 35.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 degrees Celsius).
In December, it snows in Vancouver for two days, accumulating to a depth of 1.61 inches (41 mm).
January
In Vancouver, January is another chilly month.
Average temperatures in the city are somewhat greater than in December, ranging from 41.5 degrees Fahrenheit (5.3 degrees Celsius) to 36.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 degrees Celsius).
In January, snow falls on Vancouver an average of 1.8 days and amounts to a depth of 2.05 inches (52 mm).
February
In Vancouver, February marks the end of winter.
The city’s temperatures are frigid and nearly identical to those recorded in January.
In February, temperatures in Vancouver range from 41.9 degrees Fahrenheit (5.5 degrees Celsius) to 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 degrees Celsius).
February is the snowiest month in Vancouver, with the city receiving 2.64 inches (67 mm) of snow after 3.8 snowfall days.
March
March heralds the spring season in Vancouver, and is once again a snowy month.
Temperatures are warmer than in winter, with highs of 45.7 degrees Fahrenheit (7.6 degrees Celsius) and lows of 38.8 degrees Fahrenheit (3.8 degrees Celsius).
It snows in Vancouver for 1.6 days in March, with a total snowfall of 0.98 inches (25 mm).
Where Does it Snow in Vancouver?
In the winter, snow falls in all regions of Vancouver, however the amount differs around the city’s metropolitan area.
Northern Vancouver typically experiences more snow compared to downtown Vancouver and Richmond.
How Often Does It Snow in Vancouver?
Snow falls here, however not as frequently or heavily as in other places around the country.
Between 2010 and 2019, the city experienced an average of 9.3 inches (24 cm) of snow per year.
The snowiest month tends to be February, while other months such as December and January may also see some snowfall.
Because of its low yearly snowfall, Environment Canada ranks it third among Canadian cities with the least snowfall between 1981 and 2010.
It only had 8.7 days with snowfall of more than 0.2 cm.
Snowfall occurred in January, February, March, November, and December between 2010 and 2019.
Other months that experienced snowfall between 1981 and 2010 included May and October.
It indicates that the average snowfall has likewise reduced over time.
Does Vancouver Experience Snowstorms?
Having answered the question “does it snow in Vancouver?” Let’s look at whether the city does experience snow storms.
Winters in Vancouver are moderate, so you’re unlikely to get more than 2 inches (5 cm) of snow on any one day.
There are, however, a few exceptional days when Vancouver receives up to 10 cm of snowfall in a single day.
Unfortunately, this only happens approximately twice a year.
Blizzards with snowfall totals of up to 25 cm are extremely rare in the city.
It doesn’t happen every year, but if it does, you can count on it in December. Even in the winter, snow does not build much on the ground due to the constant rains.
Snow remains are frequently washed away by rain within a few days.
Ski Resorts in Vancouver
Despite its warm year-round temperature, Vancouver is a popular winter destination for skiers and snowboarders looking to hit the slopes.
The city has beautiful skiing scenery and also held ski and snowboard sports at the Winter Olympics in 2010.
Some of the ski resorts you should visit while in Vancouver are:
Cypress Mountain Ski Resort
Cypress Mountain Ski Resort is Vancouver’s largest ski resort.
It is situated in West Vancouver’s Cypress Provincial Park, about 30 minutes north of downtown Vancouver.
The resort features 53 ski and snowboard routes spread across 600 acres of skiable terrain.
The resort receives 245 inches (6.22 meters) of snow each year on average.
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort
Whistler Blackcomb Ski Resort is around 120 kilometers or an hour and a half drive from Vancouver.
It is the most well-known ski resort near Vancouver and the largest in North America.
The resort boasts 8,171 acres of skiable terrain divided between two summits, Whistler Mountain and Blackcomb Mountain.
It also features 200 runs for skiers of all skill levels and an annual snowfall of 467 inches (11.9 meters).
Final Thoughts on the Question: “Does it Snow in Vancouver?”
Does it snow in Vancouver? Definitely YES. Vancouver does experience snow during the winter period that runs from December to February.
However, when it comes to cold, Vancouver is unlike any other big Canadian metropolis.
It’s the only one where the temperature doesn’t drop below freezing even in the dead of winter.
Even though it snows here as well, the amount is less than in other places of Canada.
It’s no surprise that it’s the country’s warmest urban area.
Therefore, while it snows in Vancouver, the volume is much lower.