Posted by Wanda

This post is the first in a series to explore our observations regarding the differences between Saskatchewan, Regina area and Southern Vancouver Island (VI, Victoria/Chemainus).

We have been not been on “the Island” for long (collectively over the years maybe three or four months so some of our impressions may be based on unusual or one time factors (e.g. anomalous weather, specific location). There is however a saying we’ve heard around the island that sums up the biggest difference  between VI  and SK, “Relax: You’re on the Island”…

Weather

Conventional thinking holds that Vancouver Island is warmer (but wetter) in the winter and cooler in the summer than Saskatchewan.

During our visit to the Island in January (2016) we arrived to a wet snowfall, which virtually disappeared in a few days. When going out we usually dressed in a light coat or sweater, and sometimes gloves and scarf when it’s a bit chiller. On most days there was some rain (or a kind of mist, accompanied by a distant fog horn which I thought sounded hauntingly beautiful) but on most days there was far more sun than we expected. There were also a few days of full sun along with many days with periods of both sun and overcast. Only a few days during our month stay in January was a total rainout. The rain on the island comes in the forms of a gentle but steady rainfall to a wet mist type rain. Nothing like the straight sideways wind, rain and snow, found in Saskatchewan. For the most part when it rained on the island it never hampered our plans, we just dressed accordingly and grabbed an umbrella!

As for wind the eastern side of VI is much less windy than SK. It’s unusual to experience onshore winds over 5-10 kph.

Fun note: On the Island they were selling annual flowers on racks outside the stores on Jan 4th! The same day we also saw people golfing, sailing and motorcycling too.

 

Regina

Regina Intl. Airport – Click here to view weather stats for Jan 2016

 

Regina Intl. Airport – Climate Normals Graph

Click on the graphic below or the above hypertext to view interactive version of this graph.

 

Vancouver Island/Victoria

Victoria University – Click here to view weather stats for Jan 2016

 

Victoria Intl. Airport – Climate Normals Graph

Click on the graphic below or the above hypertext to view interactive version of this graph.

 

 

National Comparisons: (from Environment Canada)

Average number of hours of bright sunshine a year in major Canadian cities.

City	Hours
Calgary, Alberta	2405
Winnipeg, Manitoba	2372
Regina, Saskatchewan	2338
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	2329
Edmonton, Alberta	2299
Victoria, British Columbia	2193
Hamilton, Ontario	2088
Ottawa, Ontario	2061
Barrie, Ontario	2055
Toronto, Ontario	2038

 

Average number of days annually with some bright sunshine.

City	Days
Calgary, Alberta	333
Edmonton, Alberta	321
Regina, Saskatchewan	321
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	320
Winnipeg, Manitoba	318
Victoria, British Columbia	317
Windsor, Ontario	307
Kelowna, British Columbia	306
Montréal, Quebec	304
Barrie, Ontario	303
Ottawa, Ontario	303
Toronto, Ontario	303

 

Percentage of daylight hours that are sunny

City	% Sunshine
Calgary, Alberta	53
Winnipeg, Manitoba	51
Regina, Saskatchewan	50
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan	50
Edmonton, Alberta	49
Victoria, British Columbia	46
Hamilton, Ontario	45
Ottawa, Ontario	45
Montréal, Quebec	44
Toronto, Ontario	44