How often does it rain in Vancouver?

Vancouver gets measurable rain on about 165-170 days per year, concentrated between October and March. November is the wettest month (~210mm); July and August are the driest (~35-40mm each).

What is the rainiest month in Vancouver?

November is Vancouver's rainiest month, averaging around 210mm of rain over roughly 20 rainy days. December and January are close behind.

Does it rain all day in Vancouver?

Rarely. Most Vancouver rain is light drizzle or showers that come and go. Locals often skip umbrellas entirely — a waterproof jacket with a hood handles most days.

Is It Raining in Vancouver Right Now?

Live conditions from BC Place area · auto-updates every 30 minutes

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Data: Open-Meteo (ECMWF / Environment Canada blend). For official forecasts see weather.gc.ca.

Vancouver Rain by Month: What to Expect

Vancouver's reputation for rain is deserved — but seasonal. The city records rain on roughly 165–170 days a year, and almost all of it falls between October and March. Summers are genuinely dry and sunny.

Month	Avg. rain	Rainy days	Verdict
January	168 mm	19	🌧️ Wet — pack a rain jacket
February	105 mm	15	🌧️ Wet, brightening late month
March	114 mm	17	🌦️ Showery, cherry blossoms begin
April	89 mm	14	🌦️ Improving fast
May	65 mm	12	⛅ Pleasant
June	54 mm	11	⛅ Good
July	36 mm	6	☀️ Driest month — beach season
August	38 mm	7	☀️ Dry and warm
September	64 mm	9	⛅ Lovely shoulder season
October	120 mm	15	🌧️ Rain returns
November	210 mm	20	🌧️ Wettest month of the year
December	182 mm	20	🌧️ Wet, occasionally snowy

It's Raining — What Should I Do?

Rain rarely ruins a Vancouver day if you plan around it. The best all-weather picks locals actually use:

Granville Island Public Market — covered stalls, food, artisans; easily half a day.
Vancouver Aquarium (Stanley Park) — world-class, fully indoor.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC — one of Canada's best museums, reopened galleries.
Science World — the geodesic dome at False Creek; great with kids.
Vancouver Art Gallery — rotating exhibitions downtown.
Richmond's food courts — the best Asian food in North America, all indoors.
Capilano Suspension Bridge in the rain — genuinely atmospheric in mist, and crowds thin out.

Full list: Things to Do in Vancouver · Family Guide · 3-Day Itinerary

What Locals Know About Vancouver Rain

Three things surprise visitors. First, locals don't use umbrellas much — the rain is usually a fine drizzle, and a decent waterproof shell with a hood is the uniform. Second, rain rarely lasts all day; showers move through and leave gaps, so flexible plans win. Third, the mountains change everything — it can pour downtown while Grouse Mountain sits above the cloud line in sunshine, and vice versa. Check the live conditions above before writing off an outdoor day.