British Columbia Weather

The weather in British Columbia varies in any given season across the region, which is largely influenced by mountainous terrain, latitude, and whether you are near the Pacific coast or situated in the interior of the province. Overall, BC has the hottest summers and mildest winters in Canada! For other weather facts and trivia check out other weather winners listed after the forecast chart on this page.

In summer it can occasionally get very hot during the day especially in the sunny interior, but along the West Coast the refreshing coastal breezes keep the summer temperatures at a manageable level. Spring and autumn seasons are beautiful too, with spring time blossoms and the autumn fall colours. During the winter, the seaon brings snow to the interior of BC for some awesome backcountry skiing. However it generally does not snow much in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria located in the southwestern corner of the province. Though it needs to be said, winter on the West Coast can mean dramatic storms occasionally—perfect for romantic ‘storm watching' getaways on Vancouver Island's Pacific Rim coastline!

View below the charts some historic summer and winter temperatures recorded in BC. If you like trivia, read our fun facts page about BC.

See chart below for Vancouver’s current weather conditions and 5 day forecast.

See weather in other regions:

Current British Columbia Weather Conditions

Cloudy

8 °C / 46 °F
(feels like 6 °C / 43 °F)

Cloud Cover 90%
Humidity 75%
Visibility 24 km / 15 miles

Wind Conditions 9 km/h / 6 mph

5 Day British Columbia Weather Forecast

Day	High (°C/°F)	Low (°C/°F)	Winds
Thursday Sunrise 5:16 AM Sunset 9:03 PM	16 61	10 50	12 km/h 8 mph
Friday Sunrise 5:15 AM Sunset 9:04 PM	21 70	11 52	6 km/h 4 mph
Saturday Sunrise 5:14 AM Sunset 9:05 PM	21 70	11 52	6 km/h 4 mph
Sunday Sunrise 5:13 AM Sunset 9:06 PM	17 63	10 50	8 km/h 5 mph
Monday Sunrise 5:13 AM Sunset 9:07 PM	17 63	9 48	8 km/h 5 mph

Avalanche Bulletins

BC’s backcountry in winter is one that is spectacularly beautiful but it can be dangerous. Heed to warnings and educate yourself about safety practices. For the latest avalanche warnings see also Canadian Avalanche Centre.

What to expect in Summer & Winter...

As a quick reference, below are a few historic and average daily temperatures for the summer and winter seasons for BC's interior and west coast. See BC map for regional and geographic divisions.

In Summer:

Vancouver daily average temperature 17.6°C (63.7°F), generally around 21.9°C (71.4°F), extreme maximum recorded 33.3°C (91.9°F) in August 1960
Victoria, Vancouver Island daily average temperature 16.4°C (61.5°F), generally around 21.9°C (71.4°F), extreme maximum recorded 36.1°C (97°F) in July 1941
Whistler, Sea to Sky daily average temperature 16.1°C (61°F), generally around 23.5°C (74.3°F), extreme maximum recorded 38.2°C (100.8°F) in July 1998
Gibsons, Sunshine Coast daily average temperature 17.6°C (63.7°F), generally around 21.3°C (70.3°F), extreme maximum recorded 31°C (87.8°F) in May 1983
Kelowna, Thompson Okanagan daily average temperature 19.1°C (66.4°F), generally around 27.6°C (81.7°F), extreme maximum recorded 39.5°C (103.1°F) in July 1994
Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan daily average temperature 21°C (69.8°F), generally around 28.3°C (82.9°F), extreme maximum recorded 40.6°C (105.1°F) in July 1971
Cranbrook, Kootenay Rockies daily average temperature 18.3°C (64.9°F), generally around 25.6°C (78.1°F), extreme maximum recorded 36.6°C (97.9°F) in July 1985
Williams Lake, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast daily average temperature 15.6°C (60.1°F), generally around 21.9°C (71.4°F), extreme maximum recorded 35.8°C (96.4°F) in September 1988
Prince George, Northern BC daily average temperature 15.5°C (59.9°F), generally around 22.1°C (71.8°F), extreme maximum recorded 36°C (96.8°F) in May 1983

In Winter:

Vancouver daily average temperature 3.3°C (37.9°F), generally around 6.1°C (43°F), extreme minimum recorded -17.8°C (-0.04°F) in January 1950
Victoria, Vancouver Island daily average temperature 3.8°C (38.8°F), generally around 6.9°C (44.4°F), extreme minimum recorded -15.6°C (3.9°F) in January 1950
Whistler, Sea to Sky daily average temperature -3.2°C (26.2°F), generally around -0.3°C (31.5°F), extreme minimum recorded -29.2°C (-20.7°F) in December 1978
Gibsons, Sunshine Coast daily average temperature 3.8°C (38.8°F), generally around 6°C (42.8°F), extreme minimum recorded -12°C (10.4°F) in February 1989
Kelowna, Thompson Okanagan daily average temperature -3.8°C (25.2°F), generally around -0.2°C (31.6°F), extreme minimum recorded -36.1°C (-33°F) in December 1968
Kamloops, Thompson Okanagan daily average temperature -4.2°C (24.4°F), generally around -0.8°C (30.6°F), extreme minimum recorded -37.2°C (-35°F) in January 1969
Cranbrook, Kootenay Rockies daily average temperature -7.5°C (18.5°F), generally around -3.1°C (26.4°F), extreme minimum recorded -40°C (-40°F) in December 1968
Williams Lake, Cariboo Chilcotin Coast daily average temperature -8.3°C (17.1°F), generally around -4.2°C (24.4°F), extreme minimum recorded -42.8°C (-45°F) in December 1968
Prince George, Northern BC daily average temperature -9.6°C (14.7°F), generally around -5.5°C (22.1°F), extreme minimum recorded -50°C (-58°F) in January 1968

Here are some weather winners for BC compared with the rest of Canada. Some we can gloat about such as having the hottest summers and mildest winters in Canada, but others...well, it's all part of life!

Cloudiest skies year round: Prince Rupert (Northern BC)
Coolest summer: Prince Rupert (Northern BC)
Fewest fog days: Penticton & Kamloops (Thompson Okanagan)
Fewest freezing days: Vancouver, Victoria (Vancouver Island), & Chilliwack (Fraser Valley)
Fewest snow days: Victoria & Duncan (Vancouver Island), and Vancouver
Fewest thunderstorm days: Nanaimo, Duncan & Victoria (Vancouver Island)
Hottest summer: Kamloops & Penticton (Thompson Okanagan)
Lightest wind speed year-round: Kelowna (Thompson Okanagan), Abbotsford (Fraser Valley), and Victoria (Vancouver Island)
Mildest winter: Victoria, Nanaimo & Duncan (Vancouver Island)
Most clear skies in summer: Nanaimo (Vancouver Island)
Most days with light wind (5km/h or less): Kelowna (Thompson Okanagan), Victoria (Vancouver Island), & Cranbrook (Kootenay Rockies)
Most hot days (30°C or above): Kamloops , Penticton & Kelowna (Thompson Okanagan)
Rainiest location: Prince Rupert (Northern BC), Port Alberni (Vancouver Island) & Chilliwack (Fraser Valley)
Warmest spring: Chilliwack (Fraser Valley), Kamloops (Thompson Okanagan) & Abbotsford (Fraser Valley)
Warmest year-round: Chilliwack (Fraser Valley), Vancouver & Abbotsfort (Fraser Valley)