Honestly, if you’ve lived in the Fraser Valley for more than a week, you know the drill. One minute you’re looking at clear blue skies over Mt. Cheam, and the next, you're wondering if you should’ve traded your sedan for a rowboat. The weather forecast for chilliwack bc is basically a local obsession, and for good reason. January is usually the month where we just hunker down and accept the damp, but 2026 is throwing us a bit of a curveball.
Right now, as of Saturday, January 17, it’s actually kind of stunning outside. We’re sitting at 47°F (about 8°C) with nothing but sun. It’s the kind of day that tricks you into thinking spring is early, but don’t go planting the garden just yet.
The Sunny Trap: Why the Next Few Days Are Decoy Weather
Most people assume January in Chilliwack is just one long, grey atmospheric river. Usually, they're right. But this weekend is a total outlier. We’ve got a high of 48°F today and it’s staying sunny through Sunday and Monday. Tomorrow might even hit 52°F.
It’s great for a walk at Vedder River, but here’s the thing: the humidity is sitting around 55-58%. That east wind coming off the mountains at 3 to 5 mph keeps a bit of a bite in the air. You’ve probably noticed the fog patches creeping in over the western sections of town at night. That's the Valley for you—trapping that moisture while the stars stay clear overhead.
When the Real Fraser Valley Winter Returns
Enjoy the Vitamin D while it lasts. Things start to shift by the middle of next week. Tuesday stays mostly decent, but you'll see more clouds moving in as the high drops back to 45°F.
By Thursday, January 22, the "real" January starts to show its face. We’re looking at a messy mix of rain and snow. It’s not a full-on blizzard, but with temperatures dipping to 27°F at night, the roads are going to be a nightmare.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, high of 42°F.
- Thursday: High of 38°F, 35% chance of snow at night.
- Friday: Actual snow forecast with a high of 34°F.
Then there’s the big one. Monday, January 26, is currently showing a 70% chance of a heavy snow storm. If you haven't checked your snow tires or cleared your perimeter drains since that atmospheric river scare back in December, now is the time to do it.
Why Chilliwack Weather is So Predictably Unpredictable
You ever wonder why we get hit so much harder than Vancouver? It’s the geography, basically. We’re tucked into that corner where the Fraser Canyon opens up. When cold Arctic air pushes through from the interior, it hits the moist Pacific air right over our heads.
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Historically, January is our windiest month. Even when it’s sunny like today, we’ve got that constant northeast flow. While Vancouver might just get a light drizzle, we get the "Pineapple Express" effect where moisture from Hawaii gets funneled straight into the Valley.
Actionable Tips for the Week Ahead
Don't let the sun today fool you into complacency.
- Check your gutters today. It’s sunny and dry—perfect for clearing out the muck before the rain/snow mix hits on Thursday.
- Watch the Monday (Jan 26) forecast. That 70% snow probability is high for this far out.
- Dress in layers. We’re seeing a nearly 15-degree swing between day and night right now. A morning frost is guaranteed when it's 35°F at sunrise but 48°F by lunch.
The weather forecast for chilliwack bc shows we’re in a "sweet spot" of sun for the next 72 hours. After that, the classic Valley winter returns with a vengeance. Keep your ice scraper handy and maybe grab an extra bag of salt while the stores are still quiet.