Honestly, if you’re looking at the vancouver 10 day forecast right now, you might think the city has finally decided to behave. As of today, January 18, 2026, it is actually sunny. Yeah, you read that right. Sunny in January.
But don't let that 45°F (around 7°C) high and the bright sky fool you into thinking the "Rain City" reputation is a myth. While we're currently enjoying a rare break thanks to a ridge of high pressure, things are about to get a bit weird.
The Fog is the Real Story
If you’ve tried to drive near the Fraser River or catch a flight at YVR this weekend, you know it’s a total soup out there. That same high pressure keeping the rain away is trapping moisture at the surface. We’ve got a massive fog advisory covering Richmond, Delta, and Surrey that’s expected to stick around until Tuesday afternoon.
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Visibility is basically zero in some spots. If you're commuting, please, for the love of everything, turn on your actual headlights—not just your daytime runners.
Breaking Down the Next 10 Days
So, what does the rest of the week look like? It’s a bit of a sliding scale.
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- Sunday & Monday: Expect the sun to keep hanging out, with highs near 45°F (7°C) and lows dipping toward 39°F (4°C). It's crisp. It's clear. It's actually kind of nice for a seawall walk once the morning fog burns off.
- The Mid-Week Shift: By Tuesday and Wednesday, that ridge starts to weaken. We’re looking at a mix of sun and cloud with highs dropping slightly to about 43°F (6°C).
- The Return of the Rain: Wednesday night is when the "real" Vancouver comes back. There's a 30% chance of showers or—brace yourself—flurries.
- The Late Week Slump: Thursday and Friday bring a higher chance of rain (around 40%). Temperatures will hover between 41°F and 46°F.
Why the "10 Day" is Always a Gamble
Here’s the thing about forecasting in BC: the mountains are giant walls that mess with everything. Meteorologists like Morgen Shull and Derek Lee have been tracking a "Pacific pattern" that wants to push in. While the interior of BC is getting hammered with Arctic air, we're mostly shielded.
But that shield isn't perfect. By the end of next week and heading into the following weekend (around January 24-25), there's a signal for a much colder shift. We could see a transition from sprinkles to actual snow as a cross-polar flow starts to leak some of that cold air toward the coast.
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Survival Tips for the "Grey Period"
If you're visiting or just living through it, January in Vancouver is about layers. It’s not "cold" like Montreal, but it’s a damp cold that gets into your bones.
- Waterproof Everything: A "water-resistant" jacket is a lie in this city. You need Gore-Tex or a solid rubberized slicker.
- Watch the Tides: Earlier this month, we had major coastal flooding risks. While that has settled, keep an eye on the seawall during high wind events.
- The Fog Factor: If you're flying out in the next 48 hours, check your flight status before you leave for the airport. YVR has already seen delays this weekend.
Basically, enjoy the sun while it lasts today. By next weekend, we might be back to complaining about the slush.
Actionable Insights for the Week Ahead:
- Check your tires: If you're heading toward the North Shore or Coquitlam later this week, remember that wet snow is possible at higher elevations even if it's just raining downtown.
- Monitor YVR: Check the YVR flight board if you're traveling before Tuesday due to the persistent fog.
- Light it up: Ensure your vehicle's rear lights are on during the morning fog—automatic settings don't always kick in during daylight "grey" hours.