Vanderhoof has a continental climate — short, warm summers and long, cold winters. July and August average highs around 22°C and are the obvious window for visiting; days are long, the rivers are open, and the museum and cafe are in season.
Mid-April and early October are the migration peaks at the Nechako bird sanctuary — cold but not yet snowed-in, and the most rewarding time for wildlife.
The Vanderhoof International Airshow runs over a weekend in mid-July and is the busiest the town gets all year. Book accommodation a long way ahead if you plan to attend.
Winter is genuinely cold, with overnight temperatures regularly below −20°C. The roads are kept open but blowing snow can close stretches of Highway 16 without warning.