Nelson, British Columbia Weather

Marine forecast and fishing conditions near Nelson.

Flight conditions near Nelson. Data source: locating…

About Nelson, British Columbia

Nelson is a city in Kootenay Land District, British Columbia, Canada. It has a population of 11,106. Nelson is located at 49.4933°N, 117.2958°W. It observes Pacific Time (UTC−8 / −7). Postal code area: V1L.

Nelson rests upon the steep, forested slopes overlooking the Kootenay River, a settlement defined by the profound verticality of the terrain. It lies 32.8 km north-east of Castlegar, BC (from Castlegar, BC: bearing 55°T), and is situated 6.5 km east of Taghum. The air here holds a crisp, persistent clarity, often catching the amber light of late afternoon as it descends toward the water. To the west, the quiet expanse of Cottonwood Lake offers a reflective stillness, while the distant, jagged presence of Kokanee Glacier serves as a constant, icy sentinel against the sky. Near the outflow of the river, the landscape narrows at Grohman Narrows Park, where the current gains a purposeful, driving strength that resonates through the valley floor. The history of Nelson took root in the extraction of silver and gold, an era that left behind a legacy of ornate brick architecture that still anchors the streets today. While the initial clamour of the mines has long since faded, the local economy has shifted toward a blend of specialized forestry, small-scale manufacturing, and a resilient service sector that supports the surrounding Kootenay Land District. Residents move through the day with a focused intent, balancing the demands of modern commerce with an appreciation for the rugged surroundings. The bedrock of the local economy now relies as much on the vitality of its small businesses as it once did on the depths of the earth, maintaining a steady pulse of industry that keeps the streets active throughout the seasons. Cultural life in Nelson thrives on an eclectic spirit, where local traditions often celebrate the intersection of creative expression and mountain living. Notable landmarks include the preserved heritage buildings that house independent galleries and cafes, serving as communal hearths where the dialogue of the day unfolds. The proximity to Burns Meadow provides a rare, open respite from the dense timber, offering a place where the community gathers under the wide, unencumbered sky. Individuals who have found inspiration in this setting often speak to the unique pull of the Kootenay River, a force that seems to draw the creative and the contemplative toward its banks, ensuring that Nelson continues to evolve as a distinct point of gravity within the landscape.

Live animated radar for Nelson and surroundings — RainViewer.

NOAA GOES-19 GEOCOLOR — Canada / Northern U.S. sector. Auto-refreshes every 10 minutes on page reload. Frames the whole country from Newfoundland to the BC coast, plus adjacent Pacific and Atlantic storm approaches.

Source: NOAA/NESDIS GOES-19 · Public domain · Sector code can (Canada / Northern U.S.) · Auto-updates on page reload

About This Nelson, British Columbia Weather Page

This page provides live weather conditions and forecasts for Nelson, British Columbia, including current conditions, a 24-hour hourly forecast, 7-day outlook, ECCC extended text forecast, real-time aviation weather (live METAR and TAF reports from the nearest reporting airport, with a modelled estimate shown when no station is in range), precipitation radar and NOAA GOES satellite imagery. Additional sections may include marine and fishing conditions with a solunar forecast for coastal localities, and soil temperature, crop weather and live Water Survey of Canada river gauge data for agricultural areas near a monitored waterway. All data updates automatically on every page visit.

Location data for Nelson includes coordinates 49.493333°N, 117.295833°W, situated in Kootenay Land District. Postal FSA: V1L. Telephone area code: 236, 250, 604, 672, 778. Timezone: Pacific Time (UTC−8 / −7).

Weather data is sourced from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the open-source Open-Meteo API. Aviation data is sourced from aviationweather.gov, with a modelled estimate used where no nearby reporting station is available. River and stream data is sourced from Water Survey of Canada (WSC) via the ECCC GeoMet realtime hydrometric feed. Marine and solunar data are modelled from Open-Meteo and public sunrise/moon calculations and should be treated as a general guide alongside on-the-water conditions. Radar is provided by RainViewer. Satellite imagery is sourced from NOAA/NESDIS GOES-19 and is public domain.