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Should I open the windows in Vancouver right now?

Live decision for Vancouver. Updated every 30 minutes.

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Read next Airing in winter: how much heat do you really lose? Work it out for your home with our calculator. Read next When to open windows in summer The hours that cool your home fastest.

Ventilation guide for Vancouver

Vancouver has an oceanic climate — mild temperatures year-round with persistent maritime moisture and more rain than continental cities. The advantage is stability: outdoor temperatures rarely create the extremes that make ventilation dangerous. The main challenge is humidity: on many days, outdoor relative humidity reaches 75–90%, and opening windows in warm, humid weather can increase indoor moisture rather than improving comfort. The key judgment is distinguishing temperature from comfort — 18°C at 85% humidity feels refreshing briefly but raises indoor dew point, risking condensation over time.

Summer evenings and nights are typically the best ventilation window in Vancouver: temperatures drop to 13–18°C, Atlantic or coastal breezes lower humidity, and outdoor air is consistently cleaner than during daytime traffic hours. Winter ventilation requires burst opening rather than continuous exposure: the combination of cold (1–7°C) and high humidity means extended open windows bring damp cold air that costs significant energy to reheat. OpenWindow.live accounts for both temperature and humidity in its decision, flagging high-humidity conditions where ventilation should be limited or done briefly.

Vancouver: climate and the best hours to open the windows

In July, the warmest month in Vancouver, afternoons reach 23 °C on average and nights fall to 15 °C. The coolest air arrives between 04:00 and 07:00 (15 °C on average): that is when opening the windows cools the home fastest.

In February, the coldest month, air the rooms for 5–10 minutes around 15:00, the mildest hour (6 °C on average). Average humidity is 81%, so short, wide-open airing keeps condensation and mould away without losing much heat.

Fine particles (PM2.5) are usually lowest around 13:00 (10 µg/m³) and highest around 22:00 (15 µg/m³).

MonthAvg highAvg lowHumidityCoolest hoursPM2.5
January6 °C2 °C86%04:00–07:0011
February6 °C1 °C81%03:00–06:0010
March9 °C3 °C82%03:00–06:0012
April12 °C5 °C77%04:00–07:0012
May16 °C9 °C77%04:00–07:0013
June19 °C12 °C75%04:00–07:0013
July23 °C15 °C70%04:00–07:0013
August23 °C16 °C75%05:00–08:0016
September19 °C13 °C82%05:00–08:0014
October13 °C8 °C85%06:00–09:0010
November8 °C4 °C86%05:00–08:009
December6 °C2 °C86%07:00–10:009

Data: Open-Meteo historical archive, hourly averages 2021–2025 (air quality 2023–2025), local time.

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Frequently asked questions

When is it best to open windows in Vancouver?

In Vancouver, the best ventilation times are typically early morning (5–8 AM) and late evening (after sunset) when outdoor temperatures drop below indoor levels.

Is it safe to leave windows open at night in Vancouver?

Yes, in most weather conditions. Open windows can drop indoor temperature by 2–5°C in 30 minutes if outdoor air is cooler. Check the live recommendation above for tonight.

What outdoor humidity is too high for ventilation?

Above 80% humidity, opening windows can make indoor air feel sticky. Combine with dehumidifier or wait for drier hours.