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All About Vancouver Island Weather
So what's Vancouver Island weather really like? Having lived here for almost 13 years now, we've experienced every season, every high and low. From the southern tip to the northern tip, we'll tell you just what to expect for Vancouver Island weather! OUR TIP: Temperatures in Canada are given in Celsius. For a conversion to Fahrenheit: double the figure you see in Celsius. Subtract a few degrees. Add the number to 32. The number is in the range of degrees in Fahrenheit!
An Overview of Our WeatherSince we're situated on Canada's west coast, Vancouver Island weather is more mild than the rest of Canada. We're not the tropics, but ocean currents provide a warm, moderate temperature year-round. We've got the best winter in Canada, which is why our Island is known as "Canada's California!"Winter? R-A-I-N! Lots of grey, overcast, wet days. If you're going out, an umbrella forms part of your wardrobe! Wear warmer clothing (that damp west coast air can cut right through you). The western coast is considerably wetter than the eastern; however, temperatures are fairly consistent along both coasts. Western coast can get lots of strong wind as it's unprotected. Great storm watching! HOWEVER... we do get some of that white stuff - snow. Vancouver Island weather can bring us a bit of snow in the winter (especially the central and northern regions). But the best part? The temperature! The Island rarely dips below 0° Celsius, and snow usually melts in a day or two (especially in the southern region). Travel north up Island (and head for higher elevation), the more snow (and rain in the summer) you'll find. The weather suits all kinds of adventures - ski in the morning, then head for a round of golf in the afternoon! Summer? Long, hot and dry summer days. Some regions can get quite hot (such as inland and valley areas), with temperatures reaching up to 31°C. We'd say that the hottest month anywhere on the Island would have to be July. But it's easy to cool off - head towards the ocean, and you'll get a cool breeze off the Pacific. Our beaches are among some of the best in the world in the summer - miles of uncrowded sand and surf!
Vancouver Island SeasonsWhat kind of seasonal Vancouver Island weather can you expect when you're planning your adventures here?Here's how it is:
Making a trip to Victoria? You might be wondering what the weather is like in our largest city, on the Island's southern tip.
Click Here to find out about Victoria BC weather
and how to prepare for it.
Vancouver Island weather let's you have the perfect adventure vacation! There's tons of great stuff to do anytime. So rain or shine, we say come on out!
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SPRING (March to May) - Temperatures start to warm in March, although in slightly higher elevations you'll still find snow and cold air. Best to dress in a sweater with jacket, and long pants. March/April are the prime months for Island cherry tree blossoms.
SUMMER (June to August) - Warmer, mild weather settles in, getting hotter by late June, early July. Short sleeves, light cotton pants or shorts during the day is what we see most people wear. Evenings might warrant a light pullover, especially if you're near the water.
FALL (September to November) - Weather cools down, air gets crisp. September's a great month, with nice temperatures during the day/evening. October turns cooler quickly - fall leaves in full color! Frosty mornings begin late October. Sweater weather starts.
WINTER (December to February) - Rainiest months with low grey cloud cover. Wettest month is typically January. Best time of year for storm watching on our western coast. Best clothing: a warm waterproof jacket and footwear, wool sweater, and... an umbrella!