Climate Insights for Quesnel

The climate in Quesnel is cool. The average annual temperature is 5°C and approximately 608mm of precipitation falls per year. Quesnel receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Quesnel is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: August, July, June. The coldest months are February, December, January, when temperatures can drop to -9°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 129cm accumulating over the season.

Temperatures in Quesnel vary considerably across the year, with a 34°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. August is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 25°C with a mean of 17°C. The coldest month is February, when overnight lows fall to -9°C and the daily average is -5°C. On average, daily temperatures fluctuate by about 11°C between overnight lows and afternoon highs. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 7°C shift in average temperatures.

Quesnel is a relatively dry area, receiving approximately 608mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 51mm per month. The wettest month is October, averaging 69mm of rainfall. September and November also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is March, with just 34mm. That's 35mm less than October, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 129cm accumulating over the season. February typically sees the most snow at around 30cm.

Quesnel is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is November, averaging 15km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 10km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 14km/h in winter, 13km/h in spring, 10km/h in summer, 13km/h in autumn.

It is currently spring in Quesnel, which began on March 20, 2026. Quesnel is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in August at around 25°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in February near -9°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 88 days from now.

The best time to visit Quesnel is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 48mm per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -9°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Quesnel based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.