Wind!

It's been "blustery" according to the weather forecasters. I had never seen that word used in a weather forecast until I moved to Victoria, but it is definitely appropriate.

As I write this, on July 21, the Weather Network reports winds of average speed 28 kph, gusting to 39 kph.

Wind gusts to 39 kph according to the Weather Network. James Bay, surrounded by ocean on three sides, seems to be consistently windier than other parts of Victoria.

Just before I wrote this post, Ken and I had watched a strong west wind blowing a small forest fire downhill.  For fire to move downhill is an unusual occurrence. The BC Wildfire website reports that this fire is the only one burning today in the Coastal Region. Located at Mill Hill Regional Park, the fire is about 2 ha in size and is suspected to have been human-caused. We had what one of Ken's friends describes as an "eagle's nest view" of it. Here is a photo taken through our rather dirty, sea-splattered window. The fire is now much diminished, after having had water and fire retardant doused on it from a plane.

Wind blowing smoke downhill, from a fire burning at Mill Hill Regional Park, July 21 2020

Wind in Victoria varies considerably throughout the year, according to some thorough analysis on the website https://weatherspark.com/y/466/Average-Weather-in-Victoria-Canada-Year-Round

We are currently heading into the least windy time of year (around mid September). The winter months of November to March are considerably windier. The average wind speed in early December is almost double the average wind speed in late summer!

Source: weatherspark.com

Victoria shows a huge amount of annual variation in wind direction. In the summer months, the wind is predominantly from the west; in the other three seasons of the year, the wind direction is more variable, but it is most likely from the east.

The chart below illustrates this variation. In July, wind is from the west over 70% of the time. By contrast, from November to February, the dominant wind is from the east about 40% of the time.

Source: weatherspark.com

The constant wind near the ocean affects the growth of vegetation near it.

This vegetation along the bluffs south of Dallas Road has been shaped by the wind, which comes in off the ocean (to the right). In Newfoundland, I heard the wonderful word "tuckamore" to describe wind-shaped stunted spruce.

Rather than complain about the wind, Victorians have learned to adapt! Here is a selection of responses I have noticed:

A windbreak beach shelter made of driftwood

Kite surfers off Finlayson Point

Paragliders off Clover Point

Of course, not every one can kite surf or paraglide. Sailboats are also popular (I've not taken any photos yet). But flying a kite is always an option! The video below is of kite flying at Clover Point.

Wind can make for challenging cycling. Cycling into the wind is more work, but it's cross wind that has scared me from time to time. It's unpredictable, and with my light body weight, I have had to fight to control my bike and keep the wind from pushing me into traffic, or down the bank below the shoulder of a highway.

Wind chill seems to be a factor almost year-round in Victoria. I have taken to carrying a pack wherever I go, to bring layers of clothing - including the wind breaker.

Your author at the top of Gonzales Hill on a warm windy day in early May. Despite the warmth of the sun, I still wore a vest because of the wind! 

Enjoy that oxygenating, invigorating wind!