Weather inside passage mid or end of September

[fraj1]

We are planning a one week Calgary to Vancouver road tour with a seven night inside passage cruise to follow in September 2017. Love to be away on my 65th birthday which is the third week in September but wonder if weather is much colder then and if wildlife viewing less likely than if we go the first two weeks in September? Do things change quickly across September?

[Kamloops50]

We are planning a one week Calgary to Vancouver road tour with a seven night inside passage cruise to follow in September 2017. Love to be away on my 65th birthday which is the third week in September but wonder if weather is much colder then and if wildlife viewing less likely than if we go the first two weeks in September? Do things change quickly across September?

 

September can be a toss up as to weather . No set pattern other it tends to be cooler than August or July. Vancouver and Weather in BC can be around 20 degrees C. Late September is the start of storm season.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Kamloops50

[martincath]

Weather-wise it's a variable month in a variable area - and you're talking about sightseeing at sea level, in mountains, and everything in-between so a good range of layerable clothing is going to be a necessity.

 

Statistically the later in September the more likely poor weather right across the PNW, but you might have a terrible first half of the month then a fantastic sunny, dry end to it. One definite factor though is daylight - at end of Sept you lose over an hour of daylight compared to the beginning, so less time to see things each day...

[cruisinfanatic]

We are planning a one week Calgary to Vancouver road tour with a seven night inside passage cruise to follow in September 2017. Love to be away on my 65th birthday which is the third week in September but wonder if weather is much colder then and if wildlife viewing less likely than if we go the first two weeks in September? Do things change quickly across September?

September is big time rainy season and on avg (Juneau for example), over 8 in avg compared to less than 4 in per month in June. Look up the stats

Cooler too

[Coral]

There have been some big time storms in Alaska mid-September.... Bad winds, ships not being able to leave ports, ports missed...

 

Can you consider celebrating a month ahead?

 

Coming from the UK - this will be an expensive trip. I wouldn't do it then. You may want to consider the East Coast of the US and fall foliage colors then (Canada and US).

Edited March 18, 2016 by Coral

[CowPrincess]

We are planning a one week Calgary to Vancouver road tour with a seven night inside passage cruise to follow in September 2017. Love to be away on my 65th birthday which is the third week in September but wonder if weather is much colder then and if wildlife viewing less likely than if we go the first two weeks in September? Do things change quickly across September?

 

What about reversing the plan, cruise first then the road tour? Interior of BC will still be reasonably warm, and you may get to see spectacular (but brief) colour through the mountains.

[onespots]

We are planning a one week Calgary to Vancouver road tour with a seven night inside passage cruise to follow in September 2017. Love to be away on my 65th birthday which is the third week in September but wonder if weather is much colder then and if wildlife viewing less likely than if we go the first two weeks in September? Do things change quickly across September?

 

We did a 7 day on our own land trip driving from Anchorage up to Talkeetna back to Anchorage to Girdwood & finally ending in Seward prior to catching the last southbound Celebrity ship Seward to Vancouver B.C. We arrived on August 28th & enjoyed very nice weather for the first 5 days. Then in Seward it rained hard for the next 2 days. ( this did not stop us from enjoying & seeing lots of Alaska ) Good rain gear made all the difference.

 

About 2 hours before the ship was to depart the clouds lifted, the rain stopped, & the sun was doing it's best to shine through the clouds. This made for an excellent sail-a-way & the weather improved as we headed south. We lucked out for the next 7 nights & had no rain on the ship or in the ports we visited. This was really nice for all the port excursions. The locals said it was a particularly dry for this time of year & temperatures were mild.

( usually it is the wind that makes it cold )

 

This situation might be unique for 2015. Most September's are wet.

We had no difficulty in viewing wildlife, birds, & whales. However I think early Sept. better than late. Also it is the end of the season & many of the shops & restaurants were closing & discounting their merchandise.

More daylight available ( early Sept. ) to enjoy the scenery while the ship is moving. When we arrived in Vancouver is was a virtual heat wave with temps in 80's F. We spent the weekend at Whistler Mountain & it was still very warm & clear.

 

This was a great trip for us. We did a lot & both are in good shape & in our late 60's. Just had to pace ourselves with all things to do & see in Alaska. The ship is just your hotel & you will want to spend as much time as possible on shore enjoying the " Last Frontier "

 

In the ports forum or ports of call under Alaska, there is a wealth of information. Go back to many posts between May-Sept.2015 & likely you will find all the answers you seek.

 

My trip report is there: Titled Just returned off the Millennium Seward to Vancouver B.C. Our actaul sailing began on Sept. 4th 2015.

 

Happy Travels & remember planning is a must to ensure a great trip. Due to weather, always have a back-up plan.

 

Best Wishes, John

[mapleleaves]

Weather can be iffy after mid August when you run the risk of a hellish Fall storm. I've had two 2-week trips in August and lousy weather for each. Not to say you CAN'T have good weather but if a storm hits, it's a miserable cruise. Plus after Labor Day, excursions an vendors start closing down. And as mentioned, you lose daylight ... by mid Sept sunset is at 7:30.

 

The suggestion to flip the itinerary is excellent. If you're choosing a shoulder season for a budget price, May is a better option than Sept.

 

If a bear viewing excursion was of interest, peak in Alaska ends early Sept. http://www.experienceketchikan.com/bear-viewing-in-alaska.html

 

Salmon runs are later in BC so you'd have a better chance there, esp the north end of Vancouver Island.

[fraj1]

Thanks for the responses everyone - am now considering late May /June/early July as this will be a very expensive trip for us as solo travellers from the UK and we really want to maximise our chances of 'decent' weather - understand not guaranteed but this period is statistically more likely to be better isn't it?

 

Views on when within this time slot best for weather and wildlife much appreciated!

Edited March 21, 2016 by fraj1

[xlxo]

For May.... look for a cruise with Glacier Bay. Tracy Arm may have ice congestion... limiting your glacier viewing experience. July will offer best weather for Vancouver/Seattle. If Vancouver is one of your ports..... check out Grouse Mountain pre/post-cruise for wildlife opportunities there.

[CowPrincess]

Thanks for the responses everyone - am now considering late May /June/early July as this will be a very expensive trip for us as solo travellers from the UK and we really want to maximise our chances of 'decent' weather - understand not guaranteed but this period is statistically more likely to be better isn't it?

 

Views on when within this time slot best for weather and wildlife much appreciated!

 

Are you still considering the road trip through the Canadian Rockies? And are you planning on a wildlife viewing excursion while on your Alaska cruise?

[fraj1]

Yes we are still planning a week land tour from Calgary to Vancouver with two days on the Rocky Mountaineer followed by the seven night Inside Passage Vancouver to Vancouver cruise- picking a time to get maximum benefit from both parts of the trip seems tricky! All your responses are really appreciated!

[fraj1]

And we have made no plans for trips from the cruise yet - we won't be staying on after the cruise so any we do will have to be from Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway (we also do Glacier Bay). thanks!

[martincath]

I'd say that you want to go for late June/early July through August then. Good sunlight, likely warm, and unfortunately it's impossible to pick a time that has least rain across the whole area from Calgary to the PNW & SE Alaska as the driest months for some places are the wettest for others (e.g. Jul/Aug dry Vancouver, but wet Calgary).

 

May will mean likely snow falling at least a few times in the mountains and Calgary area (statistically 4" of snowfall each May there) and you're already aware of the issues by September from your first questions.

 

You'll see whales any time you can cruise. If you're mad keen on seeing bears in the wild, then work your cruise around dates that still have slots available for the limited access permits for Traitor's Cove/Neets Bay (others know a lot more than I about best viewing periods in diff areas for bears and may chime in). Salmon run likely dates in each port you can find here if fishing, or just seeing bajillions of salmon scrambling upstream is your thing.

Edited March 22, 2016 by martincath

[Kamloops50]

I'd say that you want to go for late June/early July through August then. Good sunlight, likely warm, and unfortunately it's impossible to pick a time that has least rain across the whole area from Calgary to the PNW & SE Alaska as the driest months for some places are the wettest for others (e.g. Jul/Aug dry Vancouver, but wet Calgary).

 

May will mean likely snow falling at least a few times in the mountains and Calgary area (statistically 4" of snowfall each May there) and you're already aware of the issues by September from your first questions.

 

You'll see whales any time you can cruise. If you're mad keen on seeing bears in the wild, then work your cruise around dates that still have slots available for the limited access permits for Traitor's Cove/Neets Bay (others know a lot more than I about best viewing periods in diff areas for bears and may chime in). Salmon run likely dates in each port you can find here if fishing, or just seeing bajillions of salmon scrambling upstream is your thing.

 

We are booked for the second week of September 2016. Our favorite time to go other than May.

[CowPrincess]

Yes we are still planning a week land tour from Calgary to Vancouver with two days on the Rocky Mountaineer followed by the seven night Inside Passage Vancouver to Vancouver cruise- picking a time to get maximum benefit from both parts of the trip seems tricky! All your responses are really appreciated!

 

And we have made no plans for trips from the cruise yet - we won't be staying on after the cruise so any we do will have to be from Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway (we also do Glacier Bay). thanks!

 

If you are in Banff or Jasper as part of your Rockies tour, there is a good chance you will see elk (on golf courses, flat bits of land, by rivers.... there are a LOT of elk in the Rockies :D ) You may also see some bears but (hopefully) not close-up. ;) Don't approach the wildlife, even the tamest-looking deer can inflict a lot of injury if they feel threatened.

 

The thing with wildlife is that it is wild, and doesn't appear at specific places at specific times.

 

Definitely consider a whale watch when you are in Juneau.

[fraj1]

Everyone who contributed to this thread .... It's been of great help to my friend and I and we have now booked Inside Passage May 2017 in an aft Cabin - can't wait!

 

Thank you again!

[CowPrincess]

Thanks for letting us know :D Are you still considering doing a tour of the Rockies while you are over here?

[fraj1]

Yes we are touring Calgary to Vancouver week one including gold leaf rocky mountaineer then one week inside passage cruise! It's a combined escorted tour. Can't wait!

[angeleyes27]

Is the weather rainy and cold the week after Labor day?

[Budget Queen]

Is the weather rainy and cold the week after Labor day?

 

 

can be