Rhododendrons were blooming in early February. A Victoria friend says at any time of year some rhodo species are blooming.
Deciding to check out the winter weather on Canada’s West Coast, I arrived in Victoria in early February. It seemed to be spring already – the grass was green and flowers were blooming. Of course there was rain to create all that green.
Green abounds in Victoria.
Temperatures have reached at least 8° C (46° F) each day and as high as 13° C (55° F). Coming from Panama where daily highs were usually around 30° C (86° F), I did have to buy a few warmer clothes.
Primroses for sale outside a supermarket.
I have been told it was colder in December and January with a bit of frost. I know Victoria weather can be cold and snowy as was the case in February 2005 when I visited a cousin living here.
There must be a reason the mall offers wet umbrella bags.
One very rainy day my host loaned me her beautiful rubber boots.
Some people choose Vancouver Island as a snowbird destination. One day on a Victoria city bus I encountered a group of 20 retirees, mostly from Saskatchewan I learned, who have been coming here for several winters. Unless the Canadian dollar rises significantly in value, this may become more common. I checked the website of the hotel where the Saskatchewan snowbirds were staying and found it offers weekly and monthly winter rates in rooms with kitchenettes that would be quite attractive pricewise for two sharing.
The city bus - a place to gather intelligence.
Another day on the bus I talked to a local woman who said she goes away part of each winter because the grey skies here get her down. I would need to be here longer to be able to judge for myself on that. So far I have experienced a number of sunny days and the weather has been brisk and pleasant for walking.
Visiting the Royal British Columbia Museum on a sunny day.
I will also note that I didn’t need my passport to come here, my Canadian dollars are good and I can understand the language.
Whatever the sky, the sea is beautiful.