What’s the weather typically like in Vancouver in September? Usually it’s pretty nice. The evenings are getting cool, and there’s always a bit of rain, but generally it’s a beautiful month.
Typical October Weather in Vancouver
The days are getting shorter and cooler in October, and the rainy season returns. Average temperatures reach a high of 13 degrees C or so (or 57 F). The lows drop to about 6 C (43 F).
October usually gets close to 115 mm of rain (so just over 4.5 inches), which means it’s umbrella season once again. Sometimes October surprises everyone and produces more than its average share of sunny days, and when it does Vancouverites tend to be exceptionally happy (as they are anytime the weather is better than expected).
Recommended October Activities in Vancouver
October, especially in the later part of the month, is an excellent time to be outdoors admiring the fall colours, especially at places like Stanley Park, VanDusen Garden, Queen Elizabeth Park and Sun Yat-Sen Garden.
In Outdoor fitness enthusiasts are doing their last hikes up the Grouse Grind at Grouse Mountain before the trail closes for winter (usually in November), and hikers in the more forested regional parks are talking louder or carrying bells to ward of the black bears as they (the bears) start getting closer to civilization in search of extra food in preparation for hibernation.
Don’t worry, the chances of running into a black bear are practically nil, and being attacked by one are even less – just don’t run or do anything stupid if you see one!
Speaking of bears, October is when the salmon are busy making their ways upstream to spawn in the area’s rivers. One of the best places to see them in action is at the Capilano River Hatchery, just a short walk (or drive) down the hill from the Cleveland Dam.
Despite the coming rain, October is still an exceptional time to be in Vancouver, especially with the autumn leaves and all the Halloween decorations, especially at the PNE’s Fright Night. Also, running in town between the end of September and mid-October is the Vancouver International Film Festival, making October a good time to see a selection of great international movies.
