For more than a decade, business magazine assessments have ranked Vancouver as one of the most liveable cities worldwide,[15][16] and the Economist Intelligence Unit acknowledged it as the first city to rank among the top-ten of the world's most livable cities[17] for five consecutive years.[18] Vancouver has hosted many international conferences and events. Vancouver is one of the warmest Canadian cities. Vancouver is also one of the wettest Canadian cities, however, precipitation varies throughout the metropolitan area. Annual precipitation as measured at Vancouver International Airport in Richmond averages 1,189 mm (46.8 in), compared with 1,588 mm (62.5 in) in the downtown area and 2,044 mm (80.5 in) in North Vancouver.[62][63] Summer months are drier and sunnier with moderate temperatures, tempered by sea breezes. The daily maximum averages 22 °C (72 °F) in July and August, with highs rarely reaching 30 °C (86 °F).[64]
The highest temperature ever recorded at the airport was 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) set on July 30, 2009,[65] and the highest temperature ever recorded within the city of Vancouver was 35.0 °C (95.0 °F) occurring first on July 31, 1965,[66] again on August 8, 1981,[67] and finally on May 29, 1983.[68]
On average, snow falls on eleven days per year, with three days receiving 6 cm (2.4 in) or more. Average yearly snowfall is 38.1 cm (15.0 in) but typically does not remain on the ground