|
Climate
Located in a sub-Mediterranean zone, Victoria BC boasts the mildest climate in Canada. Victoria receives an average of 2,183 hours of sunshine each year, with flowers in bloom year-round and an eight month frost-free season. Comfortable walking shoes are a must when visiting Victoria; this resort-style city is made for strolling, with downtown hotels, restaurants, shops and parks within close proximity of one-another.
Spring arrives as early as February and is mild. Summer is comfortably warm and dry with temperatures from 18° to 32°C (65° to 90°F). Victoria has a very low humidity ratio and almost constant offshore breezes, which keep summer days from becoming too hot and summer evenings cool. A sweater or light jacket is recommended if you are going out at night. The average monthly rainfall in summer is less than 2.5 cm (1"). Victoria often enjoys a warm, sunny September with fall arriving late in the month. Deciduous trees turn the city to gold, but lawns and golf courses are green and lush throughout the winter.
The average annual rainfall for Victoria is 66.5 cm (26.2"), which is substantially less rain than both Vancouver and Seattle receive. Victoria receives rainfall during January, February and March, but rarely snow. The average monthly rainfall in winter is 5 cm (2") and the average temperature in January is 3°C (38°F). Although winters are mild and rarely include snow, warmer clothing is recommended between the months of November and March.
|
Average Monthly Temperatures
Daily Maximum Temperature
|
|
|
°C
|
°F
|
|
January
|
6.5
|
44
|
|
February
|
8.4
|
47
|
|
March
|
10.2
|
50
|
|
April
|
12.9
|
55
|
|
May
|
16.3
|
61
|
|
June
|
19.3
|
67
|
|
July
|
21.8
|
71
|
|
August
|
21.8
|
71
|
|
September
|
19.1
|
67
|
|
October
|
14.1
|
57
|
|
November
|
9.4
|
49
|
|
December
|
6.8
|
49
|
For up-to-the-minute weather information for Victoria and area, contact:
Environment Canada
Victoria Weather Office
Contact: Jamie McDuff
Tel: (250) 363-0410
Web: www.weatheroffice.ec.gc.ca
Flower Count
During the last week of February, residents of Victoria drop to their knees in their front gardens, back yards and city parks and begin counting flowers. Victoria’s annual Flower Count marks the end of winter and the start of an early spring. While residents in most Canadian cities are still under snow in February, Victorians are gardening! The enthusiasm for this tongue-in-cheek promotion is evident in the number of flowers counted - over 1.8 billion blossoms in 2004!
For further information on this event, please contact Katey Scott at (250) 414-6985 or via email at katey.scott@tourismvictoria.com
|
