Weather in Vancouver, Washington
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks. Day 58 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Light Rain55%55°46°
- SundayMay 17Overcast—63°41°
- MondayMay 18Overcast—69°45°
- TuesdayMay 19Overcast—66°46°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—72°43°
- ThursdayMay 21Clear—80°47°
- FridayMay 22Overcast—76°48°
- PM 2.5
- 1.8 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 2.4 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 1.0 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 73.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 2.3 Low
Flowers blooming in late autumn, a sure sign of a bad winter coming.
- Moonrise
- 11:59 AM
- Moonset
- 2:58 AM
- In sign
- ♉︎ Taurus
Shoots and Sprouts Rise in Ranks
Vancouver at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 12°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 20 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 16, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
August is Vancouver's warmest month (~69°F mean) while January is the coldest (~41°F). December brings peak rainfall (6.1 inches), and July sees the driest conditions (0.4 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 41° | 5.3″ | 13 |
| February | 43° | 3.8″ | 10 |
| March | 47° | 4.0″ | 11 |
| April | 52° | 2.9″ | 8 |
| May | 58° | 2.5″ | 7 |
| June | 63° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| July | 69° | 0.4″ | 1 |
| August | 69° | 0.5″ | 2 |
| September | 64° | 1.4″ | 4 |
| October | 54° | 3.4″ | 8 |
| November | 46° | 5.5″ | 12 |
| December | 41° | 6.1″ | 13 |
Regional context
Vancouver falls within a warm-summer Mediterranean climate region, sharing similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions with nearby cities.
Similar climates: Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Kennewick, WA, Bremerton, WA, Tacoma, WA.
Naturalist notes
Late May brings the emergence of Douglas-fir pollen cones, releasing clouds of yellow dust that coat cars and sidewalks throughout the region.
American goldfinches begin their late-season nesting cycle in June, timing their reproduction with the abundance of thistle seeds.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Vancouver?
- Vancouver's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Vancouver?
- December is the wettest month with about 6.1 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 37 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Vancouver?
- August is typically warmest, averaging about 69°F.
- What is the coldest month in Vancouver?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 41°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Vancouver?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-May); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Vancouver get?
- Vancouver averages about 94 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Vancouver?
- Vancouver's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Vancouver, Washington experiences a warm-summer Mediterranean climate zone. January temperatures hover near 41°F while July averages 69°F — a 28°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Vancouver receives about 37 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 94 rainy days.
Latitude (45.6°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation combine to shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and the daily weather patterns.