Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Vancouver in January
Little changes in Vancouver from December: highs stay near 41°F (5°C), lows near 34°F (1°C), and about 12.7 in (323 mm) of rain falls.
With a comfort score of 19/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by rain.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 34°F (1°C)
- Rain
- 12.7 in (323 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 81%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 25 min
- Comfort score
- 19/100 · Tough
What January feels like
It's cool, with highs near 41°F (5°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 34°F (1°C).
It's a very wet month, with around 12.7 in (323 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 81%.
Only about 8 h 25 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, November – January.
- Comfort holds steady from December (18 → 19/100).
- Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Insulated jackethighs only 41°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Vancouver in January
With 12.7 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Vij's
Landmark Indian restaurant famous for lamb popsicles in fenugreek cream curry.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 12.7 in of rain.
Granville Island Public Market
Covered market under the bridge with fish, produce, bakeries and food stalls.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 12.7 in of rain.
The Keefer Bar
Dim Chinatown cocktail bar using teas, herbs and apothecary-style tinctures in its drinks.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Museum of Anthropology at UBC
Arthur Erickson building holding Northwest Coast totem poles and Bill Reid carvings.
Why now A good rainy-day backup in January.
Miku
Waterfront sushi restaurant known for flame-seared aburi oshi sushi.
Nearby in January
- San Juan Island in January~52 mi · highs 45°F, 5.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Whistler in January~58 mi · highs 35°F, 10.4 in rain or snow · 4°C (6°F) cooler by day, drier
- Victoria in January~60 mi · highs 45°F, 5.8 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
- Olympic NP in January~105 mi · highs 32°F, 11.3 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°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 January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Vancouver?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 19/100, held back mainly by rain. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 12.7 in (323 mm) of rain. Our Vancouver, Whistler & Victoria route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Vancouver in January?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 34°F (1°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Vancouver in January?
Yes: about 12.7 in (323 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 85.6 in (2175 mm).
What should I pack for Vancouver in January?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 41°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Vancouver in January?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.