Fall in Vancouver really shifts the mood in the city. You’ll notice mild temperatures at first, but things cool off steadily, and the rain? Yeah, it shows up a lot. Frequent rain and shorter days become the norm as you move from September into November.
Because Vancouver hugs the coast, the weather never gets too wild. The city’s mix of cooling air, more rain, and changing skies gives autumn its own vibe.
Early September can feel surprisingly warm, but by November, you’ll need a jacket almost every day. Clouds and rain start to win out as the weeks tick by.
The Pacific Ocean has a big say in all this. It keeps things moderate compared to places farther inland, but it also means you get a lot more rain.
If you know what fall is really like here, you can pack smarter, plan your outdoor stuff, or just satisfy your curiosity. Average temps, rainfall, the way daylight shifts, and the ocean’s influence all matter if you want to be ready for autumn in Vancouver.
Overview of Fall Weather in Vancouver
As soon as fall hits, temperatures start to dip, days get shorter, and rain becomes a big part of life. You get cool, damp weather that only gets more pronounced as September turns into November.
Typical Climate Patterns
Vancouver sits in a temperate oceanic climate zone. That means fall stays pretty mild for Canada, but it’s also really wet.
Daily highs kick off around 69°F (20°C) in early September. By late November, you’re looking at highs closer to 45°F (7°C).
Nights cool down too, dropping from about 55°F (13°C) to 38°F (3°C) as the season goes on.
Clouds roll in fast. September might give you a few clear days, but by November, overcast skies are almost a given.
Rain picks up, too. The chance of a rainy day jumps from 18% in early September to almost 60% by late November.
Winds get stronger, starting at about 3 mph and climbing past 6 mph, usually from the east or south. Humidity holds steady, so you don’t really deal with muggy air.
Seasonal Changes from September to November
September feels pretty gentle, honestly. Average daytime temps hover around 15°C (59°F) and you’ll get quite a few dry days.
You can still do plenty outside without worrying too much about rain.
October brings a chill. Temperatures drop to about 10°C (50°F), and rainfall really ramps up.
Monthly precipitation can top 250 mm (10 inches), so you’ll want your raincoat handy. Days shrink fast, with sunset moving from almost 8 PM in early September to just after 6 PM by late October.
November? It’s the wettest, gloomiest month of fall. Highs stick near 7°C (45°F), and rainfall often goes over 240 mm (9–10 inches).
By the end of November, daylight barely lasts 8.5 hours, and sunset can come as early as 4:15 PM.
Comparison to Other Canadian Cities
If you compare Vancouver to other Canadian cities, the difference is obvious. Fall here is milder but way wetter.
Toronto and Ottawa, for example, get colder nights by October, sometimes even freezing, but Vancouver usually stays above freezing until late November.
Snow almost never shows up in Vancouver during fall, but it’s common in places like Calgary or the prairies by mid-season.
Rain is where Vancouver really stands out. Cities like Calgary or Edmonton might only see 40 mm of rain in October. Vancouver? It can get six times that.
So yeah, it’s one of the wettest big cities in Canada during fall, but at least the temperatures are much more manageable.
Average Fall Temperatures
Vancouver’s fall weather moves from late-summer warmth to cool, damp early-winter conditions. The days get shorter, nights get colder, and the temperature drops steadily as the season moves along.
Monthly Temperature Trends
September sometimes feels like summer just won’t quit. Daytime highs average around 69°F (20°C), and nights dip to about 55°F (13°C).
By the time October rolls in, highs drop to 57°F (14°C), and nights cool off to 46°F (8°C).
November is when things change the most. Highs average 45°F (7°C), and lows go down to 38°F (3°C).
This is also when the heavy rain kicks in, making it feel even chillier.
Here’s a quick look at the averages:
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| September | 69°F / 20°C | 55°F / 13°C |
| October | 57°F / 14°C | 46°F / 8°C |
| November | 45°F / 7°C | 38°F / 3°C |
Daytime and Nighttime Variations
You’ll notice the biggest difference between day and night in early fall. September evenings are still pretty comfy, so outdoor plans work out fine.
By October, nights get chilly fast, so even if the afternoon felt nice, you’ll probably want a jacket by evening.
In November, both day and night are cold. Nights hang just above freezing, and daytime highs stick in the mid-40s °F.
Clouds and rain steal a lot of daytime warmth, so it often feels colder than what the thermometer says.
As fall moves on, those comfortable outdoor windows get shorter and shorter.
Temperature Extremes and Records
Averages only tell part of the story. Sometimes September surprises you with a warm spell—highs can hit the mid-70s °F (about 24°C).
That gets rare by October.
Late November almost never goes above 50°F (10°C), and nights can flirt with freezing. Heavy early snow isn’t really a thing here, but you might see some frost late in the season.
On the cold side, it’s rare for temps to drop below 29°F (-2°C). On the warm side, don’t expect anything much above 75°F (24°C).
These ranges help you know what to pack—layers are your friend.
Rainfall and Precipitation in Autumn
Rain picks up steadily in Vancouver during the fall. Monthly totals climb, and rainy days get more common, especially by November.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rainfall doesn’t mess around here. September usually gets around 100–150 mm.
By October, you’re looking at 160–200 mm. That’s when the real wet season starts.
November is the king of rain. The city averages about 300–350 mm for the month, making it the wettest month of the year.
That’s thanks to all those Pacific storms rolling in.
Here’s a handy chart:
| Month | Average Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|
| September | ~120 mm |
| October | ~180 mm |
| November | ~340 mm |
You can really see how much the rain ramps up as fall goes on.
Number of Rainy Days
Rainy days pile up as the season moves forward. September might give you 8–12 days with measurable rain.
By October, that jumps to 14–18 days.
November usually brings the most, with 18–22 days of rain. So, in November, it basically rains most days.
Rain usually comes in shorter bursts, not all-day downpours. Still, the frequency means you’ll want to plan for damp weather almost every day in late fall.
Waterproof clothing and shoes? Absolutely essential if you want to spend time outside.
Rainfall Patterns and Intensity
Moist air from the Pacific shapes Vancouver’s autumn rainfall. You’ll mostly get steady, moderate rain, not wild thunderstorms.
Expect more drizzle and light showers than heavy rain.
Rain can last for hours, sometimes most of the day. Dry breaks happen, but they’re rare as fall goes on.
Vancouver’s spot between ocean and mountains boosts rainfall totals. This orographic lift gets especially strong in November, when storms are most active.
You can count on consistent wet weather, not wild swings. Honestly, a good raincoat is more useful here than just an umbrella.
Sea Temperature and Coastal Influence
The water around Vancouver cools down fast during fall. This affects not only swimming, but also the local weather and outdoor activities along the shore.
Average Sea Temperatures
Sea temps near Vancouver drop quickly through autumn. In September, the water averages about 60°F (15–16°C)—still bearable for some.
By October, it’s down to around 53°F (11–12°C). In November, it falls to about 48°F (8–9°C).
That steady drop mirrors the cooling Pacific. The west coast faces open ocean currents, so water temps here follow bigger Pacific patterns, not just local air temps.
You’ll notice the water gets cold faster than the air. The difference between day and night air temps isn’t as dramatic as the plunge in sea temperature.
Impact on Local Weather
The Pacific Ocean really shapes Vancouver’s climate. Early in fall, the warmer water keeps coastal air temperatures milder, especially at night.
That’s why it doesn’t get super cold near the shore, even when inland areas start to freeze.
As the sea cools in October and November, it loses some of that moderating power. Rain and clouds show up more often as moist air comes off the ocean.
The cooling water also means longer stretches of damp, unsettled weather.
This explains why late fall brings more rainy days than early September. It also delays frost along the coast, even as other regions get colder faster.
Swimming and Water Activities
Thinking of swimming in Vancouver during fall? Conditions change fast.
In September, some brave folks still swim without wetsuits, but it’s chilly. By October, most swimmers wear wetsuits, and by November, it’s usually too cold for casual dips.
Other water sports—kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing—stay popular through fall. These aren’t as affected by water temperature, but you’ll need to prep for colder winds and wetter days.
Don’t forget, daylight hours get shorter too. By November, you only get about 8.5–9.8 hours of light a day, so there’s less time to be out on the water.
Good gear—waterproof layers and thermal protection—makes a big difference for staying comfortable and safe.
Sunshine and Daylight Hours
You’ll see days get shorter and sunshine become rare as fall moves on in Vancouver. More clouds roll in, so even when there’s daylight, you don’t always get much sun.
Average Daily Sunshine
September gives you about 6 hours of sunshine per day—almost half the available daylight.
By October, that drops to around 3 hours and 40 minutes. In November, it’s only about 2 hours per day on average.
The drop comes from both shorter days and heavier cloud cover. September still offers some clear or partly sunny days, but November? It’s mostly gray.
The percentage of sunny daylight hours changes too. September sits at about 49%, October falls to 35%, and November drops to just 23%.
Late fall is definitely one of the cloudiest times in Vancouver.
You’ll notice the city shifts fast from those mild, bright early fall days to darker, rainier weather by November. If you want more sunshine for outdoor plans, September’s your best bet.
Changes in Day Length
Daylight hours shrink fast during fall. In early September, you’ll get about 12 hours and 30 minutes of daylight each day.
By the end of November, that drops to just over 9 hours.
October stands out the most, with nearly 2 hours of daylight lost over the month. Suddenly, evenings feel like they arrive way too soon.
Here’s how the average daylight looks by month:
- September: ~12h 32m
- October: ~10h 40m
- November: ~9h 04m
Less daylight, plus frequent cloud cover, makes fall feel especially dark compared to other seasons. If you’re someone who needs natural light, you’ll want to get outside earlier in the day, especially later in the fall.
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Vancouver’s fall weather brings cooler air, lots of rain, and shorter days. You’ll notice conditions flip quickly between mild, damp, and chilly, especially from September through November.
Typical Weather-Related Activities
People still love outdoor activities in early fall, when days feel milder and rain doesn’t show up as often. September usually gives you daytime highs near 18°C (64°F), which feels perfect for walking, cycling, or just wandering around parks.
By October and November, temperatures dip closer to 8–13°C (46–55°F). Rain picks up too. Trails might get muddy or slippery, so you might lean toward indoor spots like museums, markets, or other indoor attractions.
Rainfall jumps from about 78 mm in September to over 150 mm in November. You’ll probably plan more time indoors as fall goes on. Still, plenty of locals hike, run, or cycle in light rain since it stays pretty mild compared to most Canadian cities.
If you’re into photography, fall brings out incredible colors in city parks like Stanley Park. Sometimes, fog rolls in over the water and mountains, making for some really unique views. Just watch out for reduced visibility if you’re driving or exploring coastal areas.
Recommended Clothing and Gear
Dress in layers if you want to stay comfortable in changing conditions. Start with a light base layer, then toss on a warm sweater or fleece, and top it all with a waterproof outer shell.
Morning and afternoon temperatures can jump around by several degrees. Layering makes it so much easier to adapt as the day goes on.
Pick water-resistant footwear, because sidewalks, trails, and parks tend to stay wet for longer than you’d expect. Go for shoes or boots with solid grip—they really help when things get slippery.
Sure, you could bring an umbrella, but honestly, a hooded waterproof jacket is way more practical if it gets windy or the rain picks up. Those little travel umbrellas? They just don’t cut it when coastal gusts show up.
Pack a small daypack with enough space for an extra layer, a reusable water bottle, and maybe a dry bag to keep your electronics safe.
If you’re thinking of hiking, toss in trekking poles for extra stability on muddy trails and a headlamp, since daylight just disappears so early in late fall.