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People often say to me it rains a lot in BC so I decided to some
research and found some interesting information on this website:
http://www.britishcolumbia.com
The climate of British Columbia varies from marine to continental,
and is influenced by its location immediately east of the warm
Pacific Ocean, the north-south orientation of its towering mountain
chains, the mountainous topography, the prevailing westerly winds,
and the province's northerly latitude.
In winter, the province
is affected occasionally by much colder, drier air from the Arctic.
During the summer, a weakening in the west to east upper air
flow in combination with the development of a persistent high pressure
area off the coast results in fewer frontal systems moving through
BC. As a result, summers tend to be dry throughout most of BC.
The beautiful coast of British Columbia is well known for its
temperate climate - the finest in Canada!
Vancouver Island
Victoria claims the mildest climate
in Canada because the Pacific ocean in this region maintains a
constant temperature of 50 degrees F. Prevailing westerly ocean
winds provide a buffer to warmer summer and cooler winter temperatures.
Regional mountains also provide weather protection, and as a result,
Victoria has the lowest rainfall on the West Coast and consequently
enjoys the most days of sunshine. Victoria is the only city in Canada that
has recorded winters when the thermometer did not drop below freezing.
Even in January the temperate climate allows outdoor activities
such as fishing, sailing and golfing in the coastal areas.
The west
coast of Vancouver Island is exposed to the moisture-laden westerly
winds blowing off the warmer Pacific Ocean. The warm air masses
are forced up by the island's mountain ranges resulting in considerable
precipitation falling on the Pacific Rim region during the winter
months of September to March. Summers are relatively dry.
The Gulf Islands
The location of the Gulf Islands,
frolicking in the rain shadow of the Vancouver Island mountains,
ensures a moderate climate with warm, dry summers and mild, wet
winters. Drier than Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands enjoy an
8-month frost-free season, the longest in Canada.
Vancouver, Coast, and Mountains
Vancouver's climate
is one of the mildest in Canada, and is generally an area of heavy
winter precipitation. Apart from being rather wet, winters are
fairly mild but often tempered by days of brilliant blue skies
and warm clear evenings. The city of Vancouver receives only a
few snowfalls in the average winter, but the nearby mountains have
snowy peaks from November to May. Relatively cool summers are the
rule. Temperatures range from an average of 2 degrees C (36F) in
the winter and 26 degrees C (90F) in the summer, and most rainfall
occurs between October and March.
Thompson Okanagan
The climate of the Okanagan
Valley is best defined as mild and continental. Summers are warm
with hot days, cool nights, and fairly low humidity. Winters are
moderate and are occasionally cold, with cool humid air and cloudy
skies. In mid-summer, approximately one third of the season's days
are considered tropical in temperature (temperatures greater than
30 °C or 85 °F).
Spring and fall seasons are equally pleasant. Kelowna has over 2,000 hours
of sunshine annually, approximately 13 inches of rain a year and 41 inches
of snow.
The BC Rockies
Winter snowfall in the BC Rockies
averages between 171 cm (67 inches) in the south and 206 cm (81
inches) in the north. The region has winter highs in the valleys
averaging 5 degrees Celsius (40 degrees Fahrenheit). Mountain terrain
at high elevation may remain inaccessible until July. Spring flowers
bloom in the valleys in April, and you can expect warm days and
cool nights through May and June. The Rockies enjoy a wonderful
summer in July, August and September, and visitors are often
surprised by the high temperatures that can occur in July and
August. Climate can vary from one valley to the next and indeed
within very short distances. Local conditions are affected
by altitude, proximity to large lakes, wind flows through valleys
and the rain shadow effect on high mountains.
The Southern Rockies
region is in the east and southeast portion of the province and
has marked contrasts in climate. The valley bottom localities
are semi-arid with warm summers and cold winters, like those found
in the Grand Forks or Cranbrook area. Upslope, and on the windward
slopes of the Monashees, Selkirks, Purcells and Rocky Mountains,
much higher precipitation and cooler temperatures are evident
(Revelstoke area).
Cariboo, Chilcotin, Coast
In the Interior, the
Coast Mountains provide an effective barrier to the moist westerly
air flow. To the east of this mountain chain, on the Interior Plateau,
there exists a much drier and more continental climate. Summers
tend to be warm and dry; winters cooler, but less moist. (Kamloops,
Okanagan, Williams Lake and Prince George area).
Coastal British
Columbia: Generally speaking, November and February are the two
wettest months in coastal British Columbia. May and September
are the two most enjoyable months to explore the coast; not only
are there fewer travellers, but the weather also tends to be at
its best. Cold weather blankets much of the BC interior from October
to April, with northeastern BC frequently cool and overcast through
July. The best months to travel here are August and September
after the first frosts have brought an end to insect season.
Northern British Columbia
The climate of the
northern half of the province varies considerably, but generally
has much colder winters and cooler summers than the rest of the
province.
Summers are short and quite cool, with temperatures ranging
between 20 to 33 degrees Celsius, and days become longer the
further north you travel. Late spring and early fall usually offer
mild weather conditions, with average lows of around 15 degrees
Celsius. Winter coastal conditions often bring rain with the mild
weather. The winters are generally colder and drier the further
north you travel. Most northern destinations receive incredible
snow from the middle of November until the middle of March, providing
exceptional opportunities for winter recreation. Lows vary depending
on location, but average minus 10 degrees Celsius.
For more information
on BC Tourism please visit:
http://www.hellobc.com
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