Vancouver Island Climate Data
Vancouver Island's climate is
typified by warm, dry summers and the mild, wet winters. Freezing day
time temperatures are fairly rare at sea level, although there is
enough overnight frost to warrant moving your tropical plants indoors
for the winter. Along with the south coast of BC's mainland, the
region enjoys a climate that is milder by far than the rest of Canada.
Regional Variations
Regional temperature variation is
not extreme, but the south island and southern Gulf Islands do have
average temperatures a few degrees warmer than the northern part of
Vancouver Island.
Variation in rainfall is
considerable, however. Precipitation on the west coast is very high,
earning the area the distinction of being classified as
"temperate rainforest". Victoria and the southern Gulf
Islands, on the other hand, enjoy a "rain shadow" effect,
and have very moderate rainfall and many more hours of sunshine.
Falling between these extremes are the island's east coast and
northern tip, with the east coast being closer to the climate of the
south, and the northern tip more nearly approaching conditions on the
west coast.
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