Rain
No one wants a nickname like Raincouver, but unfortunately, Vancouver is stuck with this charmer. However, I’m here to share some rainy facts about the city that prove it isn’t the rainiest city on Earth. Plus, keep scrolling for some tips on beating the rain.
Raincouver facts
- Vancouver sees rainfall an average of 165 days per year. It averages 1457 millimetres of rainfall annually.
- However, it’s not the rainiest city in Canada. That title falls to St John’s (1534 millimetres per year). Halifax just comes in second with 1468 millimetres of rain annually.
- North Vancouver is a lot wetter than Metro Vancouver, with an average of 2477 millimetres of rainfall annually. This is measured at the base of Grouse Mountain.
- Vancouver has an oceanic climate, which means generally cool and humid weather, with mild, rainy winters and fairly sunny summers.
- As it averages over 140 centimetres of rain annually, Vancouver is also classified as a coastal temperate rainforest.
- You can thank the combination of the ocean and mountains for causing this amount of rainfall. Basically, the wind picks up moisture from the Pacific Ocean and pushes it upwards to the mountains. The ocean air can’t retain the moisture in those cool climates, causing rain.
- Vancouver and Victoria might be two of the rainiest cities in Canada, but they also have the country’s mildest climates. In fact, Canada’s west coast is the only part of the country where the average temperature remains about 0°C, even in winter. Vancouver is also the only major city in Canada that doesn’t have a freezing winter. So you’ll enjoy less rain in Toronto, but more snow and colder temperatures.
- Speaking of snow, according to Environment Canada, Vancouver has a 20% chance of scoring a White Christmas every year. It snows an average of nine days annually.
- As the saying goes, it could always be worse. In this instance, Vancouver doesn’t come close to the rainiest city in the world. Emei Shan in China receives over 8 metres of rainfall annually. Can you imagine Vancouver getting 8 times its average amount of rain? No thank you!
When should you visit Vancouver?
So, when should you visit Vancouver? If you don’t mind a bit of rain, Vancouver’s wettest seasons are autumn and winter. Expect gloomy days and downpours from October to March. But if you get caught, enjoy one of Vancouver’s many indoor activities and attractions, like the Vancouver Art Gallery, Museum of Anthropology, Bloedel Conservatory and Science World. Then get cozy at one of the many bars, pubs and restaurants in historic Gastown. Alternatively, visit Vancouver in summer, when it’s typically very dry.
If you are one of those people that actually like Vancouver’s rainy weather, our Rain City collection is made for you