Early winter · Weather & things to do
Vancouver in December
This is the coldest month in Vancouver: highs average 40°F (5°C) and lows 32°F (0°C), with about 11.6 in (295 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 18/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 40°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 32°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 11.6 in (295 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 59 min
- Comfort score
- 18/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 40°F (5°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
After dark, temperatures fall to about 32°F (0°C).
It's a very wet month, with around 11.6 in (295 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 81%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 59 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Shortest days of the year, about 7 h 59 min of daylight.
- Comfort slips from 28/100 in November to 18/100.
- Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 32°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes11.6 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Vancouver in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Gastown
Oldest neighbourhood of brick warehouses, the steam clock and restaurants on cobbled Water Street.
Capilano Suspension Bridge Park
137-metre bridge over a canyon plus treetop walkways and a cliffside walk.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arthur Erickson building holding Northwest Coast totem poles and Bill Reid carvings.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 11.6 in of rain.
Stanley Park Seawall
Ten-kilometre waterfront path around a forested park, with totem poles at Brockton Point.
Miku
Waterfront sushi restaurant known for flame-seared aburi oshi sushi.
Nearby in December
- San Juan Island in December~52 mi · highs 44°F, 5.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Whistler in December~58 mi · highs 33°F, 9.6 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, drier
- Victoria in December~60 mi · highs 44°F, 5.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Olympic NP in December~105 mi · highs 31°F, 10.6 in rain or snow · 5°C (10°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~565 m to Vancouver's ~33 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Vancouver in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Vancouver?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 18/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 40°F (5°C) and 11.6 in (295 mm) of rain. Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Vancouver in December?
Average highs are 40°F (5°C) and average lows 32°F (0°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in December?
Yes: about 11.6 in (295 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 85.6 in (2175 mm).
What should I pack for Vancouver in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 32°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (11.6 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Vancouver in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.