What's the weather like in Vancouver in February
Temperature
February in Vancouver is still definitely winter, as the cold & cloudy weather from January continues into this month. The average temperature only climbs one degree, now averaging 5°C for the month. The temperatures do slowly rise as February progresses. Days average a cool 8°C while nights drop to 2°C. February typically doesn't see much in the form of wild temperature swings.
Rainfall
The rainy season continues to slowly taper off throughout February, though Vancouver still sees some significant rain. On average it rains for 16 days during the month with rainfall totals of 150mm.
Snowfall
Measureable snowfall is very rare in Vancouver in February, as most snowfall occurs in the colder December & January months. Snow typically only falls when colder arctic streams push south. It does, however, still snow in the greater Vancouver area and ski resorts surrounding Vancouver more often.
Sunshine Hours
Vancouver's short days and cloudy skies mean that you'll only get an average of five hours of daylight in February. In the beginning of the month there are only 9 hours 26 minutes between sunrise & sunset, increasing to 10 hours 58 minutes by the end of February. There's also a 70% chance of either mostly cloudy or overcast skies throughout the entire month.
Humidity
The relative humidity in Vancouver in February hovers around the 70% level, slowly declining throughout the month. Even with the heavy rains, low temperatures will keep the air feeling dry and mostly comfortable.
Wind
Winds are light during Vancouver's winter, and in February you'll find mostly easterly light winds at 6.0 mph. There are rarely any wind events in February.
Sea Temperature
The Pacific Ocean around Vancouver is a chilly 8°C during February. Even in the shallower harbor areas the water will maintain these cool temperatures.
Dress Code
Be prepared for cold and wet if you're visiting Vancouver in February. Your pack should include an umbrella, reliable rain gear, and warm clothing. It's important to dress in layers and remain dry. You'll want waterproof footwear and the appropriate skiwear if you're hitting the slopes. Overall, Vancouver is a very casual city. Even if you're going out to nice restaurants and nightclubs you can get away with "smart casual" attire. For a better idea of the upcoming weather, check the Vancouver 14-day forecast.
Vancouver Hotels in February
Landis Hotel & Suites
Large families will want to check out the Landis Hotel & Suites in downtown Vancouver. This large hotel has 53 two-bedroom suites of at least 1,000 square feet; different types of suites are available for different budgets. Each suite contains a full kitchen, dining area, separate living area, and comfortable rooms. Large glass windows will give you great views of downtown Vancouver. The Landis is ideally located in West End and central to Vancouver's business district, shopping, restaurants, and green spaces. A complimentary shuttle will drop you off at these downtown locations when weather makes walking miserable. Landis has a fitness center, heated indoor pool & jacuzzi, and business center.
Kingston Hotel
The affordable Kingston Hotel in downtown Vancouver is one of Vancouver's charming, family-owned boutique hotels. This old building houses 52 rooms and has the feel of a quaint European bed & breakfast. The rooms are small and some rooms have private bathrooms while others must utilize a shared bathroom. The Kingston is a very cozy place to stay in Vancouver and puts you right in the middle of the Robson shopping district. You're also close to the convention center, cruise ship terminal, BC Place Stadium, Gastown, Chinatown, and two blocks from the City Centre Skytrain station. The Kingston provides a free continental breakfast and, for the cold winter days, a great sauna room. The Kingston Taphouse & Grille is right next door.
GEC Granville Suites
The GEC Granville Suites is in downtown Vancouver's bustling Entertainment District, close to the Roundhouse Community Arts & Rec Centre, Vancouver Aquatic Centre, Yaletown, Granville Ferry, and Rogers Arena. The three-star hotel offers bright spacious rooms with large windows, seating areas, comfortable beds, flatscreen TVs, and a fast Wi-Fi connection. On-site amenities include a fitness center, sauna, business center, and rooftop deck. The White Spot Restaurant & Lounge, which is connected to the hotel and open to the public, serves American cuisine all day and offers a discount to hotel guests. This hotel is most commonly booked for the outstanding location.
Atrium Inn Vancouver
Located on Hastings St near the Pacific Coliseum, the Atrium Inn in Vancouver's East Village is one of the most affordable four-star hotels in the area. This boutique hotel offers both standard rooms and suites with living areas, all with flatscreen TVs, cozy beds with pillow-top mattresses, and views of the surrounding mountains. A free continental breakfast is provided for guests in the hotel lounge, and you can also enjoy drinks & dinner at the on-site PressBox Pub. The Atrium Inn provides a complimentary shuttle services to downtown Vancouver attractions. The Atrium Inn is pet-friendly and has a large fitness center. Overall, a great value for the money.
Bars and Restaurants
Cioppino's Mediterranean Restaurant
For an elegant dining experience with amazing Mediterranean cuisine, reserve a table at Cioppino's Mediterranean Restaurant. Cioppino's is one of Vancouver's highest-rated restaurants and has won many awards including Vancouver Magazine Restaurant of the Year, multiple Vancouver Magazine Chef of the Year awards, and multiple ZAGAT ratings. Cioppino's serves nothing but the freshest local ingredients in their dinners, meaning that the menu rotates on a seasonal basis. Appetizers include charcuterie, octopus, scallops, and prawns, and for dinners you'll have choices of gnocchi, risotto with lobster and pesto, and roasted rack of lamb. Cioppino's is located in Yaletown and is open Tuesday thru Saturday from 5PM to 10:30PM.
AnnaLena
One of Vancouver's preeminent new restaurants the best in Kitsilano is AnnaLena. Air Canada Magazine rated this contemporary Canadian restaurant as one of Canada's Top 10 Best New Restaurants in 2015. The small eatery features visually-stunning trendy décor and furnishings to go along with the artisan drinks & dishes. All of the chef's creations are made with fresh food and include vegetarian-friendly and gluten-free options. On the menu you'll find delicious plates of roasted beets with candied pistachios, ginger lemongrass mussels, albacore tuna with orange and fennel, and an expansive wine & cocktail menu to accompany. A tasting menu is also available until 8:30PM. AnnaLena is open daily from 5PM to midnight.
Fable
You'll love the warm, cozy atmosphere of Kitsilano's Fable. This contemporary Canadian restaurant takes pride in the farm-to-table concept that makes up their entire menu, a concept that is also reflected in the décor. Fable's weekend brunch menu includes pulled pork Johnny cakes, eggs benedict, omelets, and French toast. On the weekday lunch menu you'll find some great pastas, burgers, sandwiches, and salads. Their amazing seasonal dinner menu includes dishes like asparagus salad, glazed pork ribs, salmon, and cavatelli. Be sure to save room for s'mores for dessert. Reservations are accepted. Lunch is served Monday thru Friday from 11AM to 2:30PM; dinner from 5:30PM to 10PM Monday thru Friday and starting at 5PM on weekends; and weekend brunch is served from 10AM to 2PM.
33 Acres Brewing
The 33 Acres Brewing Company in Shaughnessy isn't just about beer. They're open every day from 9AM to 11PM (opening at 10AM on weekends). Early crowds rave about the beer waffles, poached eggs & toast, and avocado smash toast. Pub food includes their homemade perogies, German pretzels, wood-fired pizzas, and charcuterie boards. 33 Acres exudes an extremely fun, relaxed vibe. Their brewery produces craft beers with names like 33 Acres of Euphoria (a Belgian Tripel), 33 Acres of Nirvana (an IPA), and 33 Acres of Ocean (a West Coast Pale), among others. You'll find this fun pub near Jonathan Rogers Park.
Things to do in Vancouver in February
Science World
One of Vancouver's fun winter family activities is Science World, at the harbor in Yaletown. This large interactive museum is bound to ignite your imagination. This large, unique facility, home of Expo '86, contains a multitude of both rotating and permanent hands-on exhibits. The OMNIMAX theater is the largest 3D IMAX theater in the world and shows a stunning rotation of immersive movies. Some of the permanent exhibits include displays about the human body, interactive exhibits about sustainable living, and science art galleries. Every now and then Science World includes events just for the adults, like food & alcohol pairings that focus on the science of those pairings. The Telus World of Science is open daily from 10AM to 6PM, with extended hours until 8PM on Tuesdays.
Chinese New Year
Vancouver has a large Asian population, and this makes it a wonderful location to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Most of the festivities take place in Chinatown though other venues around Vancouver also hold events. The celebration lasts more than a week. Watch colorful parades with dragons, lion dances, and martial arts troupes. Enjoy delicious food tents & live music, and participate in the lantern festivals. There are great kid-friendly activities as well. With this completely engaging experience in Vancouver's beautiful Chinatown area, you'll feel like you're experiencing the festivities all the way in Beijing. Check the calendar for dates of the Chinese New Year for the year you're planning your visit.
Mount Seymour Ski Resort
Thirty minutes from downtown Vancouver you'll be at Mt. Seymour, a family-owned ski hill with a variety of terrain and activities. The mountain encompasses 200 acres of terrain, half of which is lit for night skiing. Beginners can take ski or snowboard lessons on their gently sloping hills. Advanced skiers & snowboarders will find their adrenaline rushes in Mt. Seymour's four terrain parks, tree runs, and other exciting off-piste terrain. Mt. Seymour has five lifts and also accommodates sledding and snowshoeing. Average annual snowfall is 10 meters. Mt. Seymour also offers meeting facilities and catering for large groups.
Grouse Mountain Ski Resort
Grouse Mountain is one of Vancouver's oldest ski resorts and only fifteen minutes from downtown. The Skyride Gondola services this 1,200-meter mountain with four lifts and 33 runs. Most of the runs are for intermediate-level skiers and snowboarders, with a few beginner runs and expert runs thrown into the mix. Half of the mountain is lit up for night skiing. Grouse Mountain also features six terrain parks for the adventurous shredders and 9km of snowshoe trails for those looking for a slower pace. The infamous "Cut" run is ranked as one of the top 100 runs in the world. Grouse Mountain offers lessons and also has a number of dining facilities, from minimalistic yurts to a five-star restaurant with great views of Vancouver.
