Geography of British Columbia
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2009) |
Total land borders: United States: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana; Canadian provinces Alberta, Yukon, Northwest Territories | |
Highest point | Mount Fairweather 4,663 m (15,299 ft) |
---|---|
Lowest point | Pacific Ocean sea level |
Longest river | Fraser River 1,368 km (850 mi) |
Largest lake | Williston Lake 1,761 km2 (680 sq mi) |
Statistics
- Total area: 944,735 km (587,031 mi)
- Land area: 925,186 km (574,884 mi)
- Water area: 19,549 km (12,147 mi) (2.1%)
Physical geography
British Columbia is customarily divided into three main regions, the
Terrain
The
Mountains and mountain ranges
The landforms of British Columbia include two major continental landforms, the
Eastern System
B.C.'s Eastern Mountain System comprises the dominant Canadian Rockies, with the Cariboo, Selkirk, Monashee, and Purcell ranges of the Columbia Mountains system in the south, and the Hart Ranges & Muskwa Ranges of the Northern Rocky Mountains to the north The Canadian Rockies incorporate the Canadian segment of the North American Rocky Mountains range. The southern end in Alberta and British Columbia borders Idaho and Montana of the United States. The northern end is at the Liard Plain in British Columbia.
Interior System
The Interior System comprises the Interior Plateau and Interior Mountains (aka the Northern Interior Mountains) and the southern part of the Yukon Plateau. The major subdivisions of the Interior Mountains are the Cassiar Mountains, Omineca Mountains, Stikine Plateau, Skeena Mountains and Hazelton Mountains. Each has a variety of subranges and some definitions include the Tahltan Highland and Tagish Highland which may also be assigned to the Boundary Ranges of the Coast Mountains (see next). The major subdivisions of the Interior Plateau are the Nechako Plateau, the McGregor Plateau, the Fraser Plateau (which includes the Chilcotin Plateau and Cariboo Plateau and a number of small mountain ranges) and the Thompson Plateau. The Quesnel, Shuswap and Okanagan Highlands which flank the plateau to the east are sometimes seen as part of it, but are officially part of the Columbia Mountains range-system and are seen as subranges of the adjoining ranges, namely the Cariboo Mountains and Monashee Mountains.
Western System
The Western System comprises the Coast Mountains, the Canadian portion of the Cascade Mountains (known in the US as the Cascade Range), the southeasternmost Saint Elias Mountains and the Coastal Trough, which includes the Georgia Depression and its subunit the Fraser Lowland and other low-lying coastal areas.
The Western Mountain System's
Mount Waddington (4016 m) is the highest mountain within B.C. and Fairweather Mountain in the Fairweather Range of the Saint Elias Mountains on the B.C. and Alaska border has the highest point. Much of the B.C. coast has a fjord scenery, due to the many islands along the Pacific coast being the highest points of a partly submerged mountain range.
Insular System
The Insular System comprises the Insular Mountains, which include the Vancouver Island Ranges and Queen Charlotte Mountains as well as the Nanaimo Lowland, Nahwitti Lowland and Hecate Depression.
Geology and orogeny
The younger ranges of the Canadian Rockies were uplifted during the late
During the last glaciation of the current
Mountain | Height (m) | Mountain | Height (m) |
---|---|---|---|
Saint Elias Mountains | Rocky Mountains (cont.) | ||
Fairweather Mountain (highest point on Alaska–B.C. boundary)
|
4,663 | Mount Assiniboine (on Alberta–B.C. boundary) | 3,618 |
Mount Quincy Adams (on Alaska–B.C. boundary) | 4,133 | Mount Goodsir: North Tower | 3,581 |
Mount Root (on Alaska–B.C. boundary) | 3,901 | Mount Goodsir: South Tower | 3,520 |
Coast Mountains | Snow Dome (on Alberta–B.C. boundary) | 3,520 | |
Mount Waddington | 4,016 | Mount Bryce | 3,507 |
Mount Tiedemann | 3,848 | Selkirk Mountains | |
Combatant Mountain | 3,756 | Mount Sir Sandford | 3,522 |
Asperity Mountain | 3,716 | Cariboo Mountains | |
Serra Peaks | 3,642 | Mount Sir Wilfrid Laurier | 3,520 |
Monarch Mountain | 3,459 | Purcell Mountains | |
Rocky Mountains | Mount Farnham | 3,481 | |
Mount Robson | 3,954 | Monashee Mountains[3] | |
Mount Columbia (on Alberta–B.C. boundary) | 3,747 | Mount Monashee | 3,274 |
Mount Clemenceau | 3,642 | Hallam Peak
|
3,205 |
Source Statistics Canada
Volcanoes
Although little-known to the general public, British Columbia is home to a huge area of
The Garibaldi Volcanic Belt is a north–south range of volcanoes in southwestern British Columbia. It is the northern extension of the Cascade Volcanic Arc in the United States and contains the most explosive young volcanoes in Canada. It was formed by subduction of the Juan de Fuca Plate at the Cascadia subduction zone. Eruption styles within the belt range from effusive to explosive, with compositions from basalt to rhyolite. The most recent major catastrophic eruption was the 2350 BP eruption of the Mount Meager massif. It produced an ash column at least 20 km high into the stratosphere and dammed the Lillooet River with breccia.
The Anahim Volcanic Belt is an east–west line of volcanoes. These volcanoes probably formed when the North American Plate moved over the Anahim hotspot. The hotspot is considered similar to the one feeding the Hawaiian Islands. The last volcanic eruption within the belt was about 7000 years ago at a small cinder cone called Nazko Cone.
The
plates.The Chilcotin Group in southern British Columbia is thought to have formed as a result of back-arc extension behind the Cascadia subduction zone.
The
Water
The
Long, narrow lakes are found throughout the valleys of the
River | Drainage area (km2) | Length (km) | Discharge (m^3/s) |
---|---|---|---|
Columbia (mouth to head of Columbia Lake) | 668,000 | 2,000 | 7,500 |
(International boundary to head of Columbia Lake) | 102,800 | 801 | 2,800 |
Kootenay | 37,700 | 780 | 782 |
Kettle (to head of Holmes Lake) | 4,700 | 336 | 82.2 |
Okanagan (to head of Okanagan Lake) | 21,600 | 314 | 18.3 |
Fraser | 232,300 | 1,370 | 3,340 |
Thompson (to head of North Thompson) | 55,400 | 489 | 772 |
North Thompson | 20,700 | 338 | 427 |
South Thompson (to head of Shuswap) | 17,800 | 332 | 292 |
Nechako (to head of Eutsuk Lake) | 47,100 | 462 | 277 |
Stuart (to head of Driftwood) | 16,200 | 415 | 131 |
Skeena | 54,400 | 579 | 911 |
Stikine | 49,800 | 539 | 1,580 |
Nass | 21,100 | 380 | 780 |
Peace (to head of Finlay) | 302,500 | 1,923 | 1,540 |
Source Statistics Canada Source Environment Canada
Lake | Area(km2) | Altitude (m) | Depth(m) | Volume(km3) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Williston | 1,761 | 671 | 166 | 70.3 |
Atlin (including Yukon portion) | 775 | 668 | 283 | 54.0 |
Sproat | 546 | 29 | 195 | 23.0 |
Kinbasket | 529 | 754 | 240 | - |
Babine | 495 | 711 | 180 | 37 |
Kootenay | 389 | 530 | 154 | 36.7 |
Ootsa | 404 | 855 | - | - |
Stuart | 358 | 680 | 95 | 09.6 |
Okanagan | 351 | 342 | 230 | 24.6 |
Shuswap | 310 | 347 | 161 | 19.1 |
Upper Arrow | 301 | - | - | - |
Eutsuk | 267 | - | 305 | 28.5 |
Quesnel | 266 | 729 | 600 | 41.8 |
Takla | 265 | 791 | 287 | 28.4 |
Francois | 258 | 715 | 244 | 23.1 |
Harrison | 218 | 10 | 279 | 33 |
Chilko | 180 | 1172 | 366 | 21.2 |
Adams | 137 | 404 | 464 | 23.2 |
Murtle | 76.3 | 1067 | 333 | 08.2 |
Slocan | 69.3 | 535 | 298 | 11.9 |
Kennedy | 69.2 | 4 | - | - |
Charlotte | 66 | 1175 | 101 | 02.7 |
Mabel | 60 | 396 | 192 | 06.8 |
Stave | 59 | 81 | 101 | 02.0 |
Pitt | 58 | 0 | 142.6 | 02.4 |
Horsefly | 57 | 783 | 191 | 03.9 |
Canim | 56 | 772 | 209 | 07.2 |
Bowser | 55.7 | 368 | 119 | - |
Tahtsa | 53 | 852 | 218 | 03.3 |
Kamloops | 52 | 335 | 152 | 03.7 |
Great Central | 50.85 | 82 | 250 | 06.3 |
Carpenter | 50 | - | - | - |
Nation | 47 | 1081 | 78 | 01.2 |
Tatlayoko | 40 | 827 | 210 | 04.3 |
Meziadan | 37.3 | 305 | 133 | 02.2 |
Inzana | 36.6 | 880 | 95.4 | 01.3 |
Sources Statistics Canada, WLD, anglersatlas.com
Climate
Because of the many mountain ranges and rugged coastline, British Columbia's climate varies dramatically across the province.
Coastal southern British Columbia has a mild, rainy oceanic climate, influenced by the North Pacific Current, which has its origins in the Kuroshio Current. Hucuktlis Lake on Vancouver Island receives an average of 6,903 mm (271.8 in) of rain annually, and some parts of the area are even classified as warm-summer Mediterranean, some of the northernmost occurrences in the world. In Victoria, the annual average temperature is 11.2 °C (52.2 °F), the warmest in Canada.[8]
Due to the blocking presence of successive mountain ranges, the climate of some of the interior valleys of the province is semi-arid with certain locations receiving less than 300 mm (12 in) in annual precipitation.[9]
South Coast
The climate of the coast of British Columbia is generally oceanic (Cfb). The winters are very cloudy, cool, and extremely rainy, although generally above freezing, and the summers are cool and comparatively drier with temperatures generally between 16 and 24 °C (61 and 75 °F). Precipitation is generally around 3,000 mm (120 in), falling on around 200 days. Coastal fog develops on many days, especially in winter, with sunshine around 1400 hours a year.
The exception to British Columbia's wet and cloudy winters is during the
Climate data for Port Renfrew Climate ID: 1016335; coordinates 48°35′30″N 124°19′35″W / 48.59167°N 124.32639°W; elevation: 10.0 m (32.8 ft); 1981-2010 normals | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °C (°F) | 19.0 (66.2) |
16.5 (61.7) |
20.0 (68.0) |
24.5 (76.1) |
27.5 (81.5) |
31.0 (87.8) |
31.7 (89.1) |
33.5 (92.3) |
28.9 (84.0) |
24.0 (75.2) |
17.2 (63.0) |
15.0 (59.0) |
33.5 (92.3) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.3 (43.3) |
7.5 (45.5) |
9.7 (49.5) |
12.3 (54.1) |
15.2 (59.4) |
17.4 (63.3) |
19.4 (66.9) |
20.0 (68.0) |
17.8 (64.0) |
12.9 (55.2) |
8.5 (47.3) |
5.9 (42.6) |
12.7 (54.9) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.1 (39.4) |
4.6 (40.3) |
6.2 (43.2) |
8.4 (47.1) |
11.1 (52.0) |
13.4 (56.1) |
15.3 (59.5) |
15.6 (60.1) |
13.4 (56.1) |
9.6 (49.3) |
6.1 (43.0) |
3.8 (38.8) |
9.3 (48.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.8 (35.2) |
1.6 (34.9) |
2.7 (36.9) |
4.3 (39.7) |
6.9 (44.4) |
9.4 (48.9) |
11.0 (51.8) |
11.1 (52.0) |
9.0 (48.2) |
6.3 (43.3) |
3.7 (38.7) |
1.6 (34.9) |
5.8 (42.4) |
Record low °C (°F) | −12.5 (9.5) |
−10.5 (13.1) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
0.0 (32.0) |
1.7 (35.1) |
5.0 (41.0) |
2.2 (36.0) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−11.5 (11.3) |
−11.1 (12.0) |
−12.5 (9.5) |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 555.7 (21.88) |
376.6 (14.83) |
362.3 (14.26) |
258.7 (10.19) |
154.7 (6.09) |
107.9 (4.25) |
50.5 (1.99) |
82.4 (3.24) |
123.9 (4.88) |
371.2 (14.61) |
579.7 (22.82) |
481.0 (18.94) |
3,504.6 (137.98) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 544.0 (21.42) |
362.0 (14.25) |
356.0 (14.02) |
258.1 (10.16) |
154.6 (6.09) |
107.9 (4.25) |
50.5 (1.99) |
82.4 (3.24) |
123.9 (4.88) |
371.0 (14.61) |
575.4 (22.65) |
468.9 (18.46) |
3,454.7 (136.01) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 11.8 (4.6) |
14.6 (5.7) |
6.3 (2.5) |
0.6 (0.2) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.2 (0.1) |
4.3 (1.7) |
12.1 (4.8) |
50.0 (19.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 22.8 | 18.4 | 22.3 | 19.3 | 16.7 | 13.9 | 9.0 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 18.8 | 23.1 | 22.4 | 207.3 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 22.1 | 17.8 | 22.0 | 19.3 | 16.7 | 13.9 | 9.0 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 18.8 | 22.8 | 21.5 | 204.7 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 2.9 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 0.33 | 0.04 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.08 | 1.0 | 2.5 | 11.1 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[10] |
Lower Mainland
Like regions of San Francisco and southern California, the Lower Mainland exhibits a variety of microclimates.[11] Here, the winters are cloudy, cool, and rainy, while the summers are varied across the region. For example, Delta on the southwest tip of the region has summer highs of 21 °C (70 °F), while inland regions like Abbotsford and Chilliwack have summers up to 25 °C (77 °F) and occasionally above 30 °C (86 °F). Precipitation is between 900 and 2,000 mm (35 and 79 in). Sunshine ranges from 1500 to 2000 hours.
Climate data for Richmond (Vancouver International Airport) Climate ID: 1108447; coordinates 49°11′42″N 123°10′55″W / 49.19500°N 123.18194°W; elevation: 4.3 m (14 ft); 1981-2010 normals, extremes 1898–present[a] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 17.2 | 18.0 | 20.3 | 23.9 | 33.7 | 38.4 | 38.3 | 35.9 | 33.0 | 27.2 | 21.1 | 16.1 | 38.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 15.3 (59.5) |
18.4 (65.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
26.1 (79.0) |
30.4 (86.7) |
33.3 (91.9) |
34.4 (93.9) |
33.3 (91.9) |
30.0 (86.0) |
25.0 (77.0) |
23.3 (73.9) |
15.0 (59.0) |
34.4 (93.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 6.9 (44.4) |
8.2 (46.8) |
10.3 (50.5) |
13.2 (55.8) |
16.7 (62.1) |
19.6 (67.3) |
22.2 (72.0) |
22.2 (72.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
13.5 (56.3) |
9.2 (48.6) |
6.3 (43.3) |
13.9 (57.0) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 4.1 (39.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
6.9 (44.4) |
9.4 (48.9) |
12.8 (55.0) |
15.7 (60.3) |
18.0 (64.4) |
18.0 (64.4) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.3 (50.5) |
6.3 (43.3) |
3.6 (38.5) |
10.4 (50.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 1.4 (34.5) |
1.6 (34.9) |
3.4 (38.1) |
5.6 (42.1) |
8.8 (47.8) |
11.7 (53.1) |
13.7 (56.7) |
13.8 (56.8) |
10.8 (51.4) |
7.0 (44.6) |
3.5 (38.3) |
0.8 (33.4) |
6.8 (44.2) |
Record low °C (°F) | −17.8 (0.0) |
−16.1 (3.0) |
−9.4 (15.1) |
−3.3 (26.1) |
0.6 (33.1) |
3.9 (39.0) |
6.1 (43.0) |
3.9 (39.0) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
−6.1 (21.0) |
−14.3 (6.3) |
−17.8 (0.0) |
−17.8 (0.0) |
Record low wind chill | −22.6 | −21.2 | −14.5 | −5.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | −11.4 | −21.3 | −27.8 | −27.8 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 168.4 (6.63) |
104.6 (4.12) |
113.9 (4.48) |
88.5 (3.48) |
65.0 (2.56) |
53.8 (2.12) |
35.6 (1.40) |
36.7 (1.44) |
50.9 (2.00) |
120.8 (4.76) |
188.9 (7.44) |
161.9 (6.37) |
1,189 (46.81) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 157.5 (6.20) |
98.9 (3.89) |
111.8 (4.40) |
88.1 (3.47) |
65.0 (2.56) |
53.8 (2.12) |
35.6 (1.40) |
36.7 (1.44) |
50.9 (2.00) |
120.7 (4.75) |
185.8 (7.31) |
148.3 (5.84) |
1,153.1 (45.38) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 11.1 (4.4) |
6.3 (2.5) |
2.3 (0.9) |
0.3 (0.1) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
3.2 (1.3) |
14.8 (5.8) |
38.1 (15.0) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 19.5 | 15.4 | 17.7 | 14.8 | 13.2 | 11.5 | 6.3 | 6.7 | 8.3 | 15.4 | 20.4 | 19.7 | 168.9 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 18.4 | 14.7 | 17.5 | 14.8 | 13.2 | 11.5 | 6.3 | 6.8 | 8.3 | 15.4 | 19.9 | 18.4 | 165.2 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 2.6 | 1.4 | 0.9 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.03 | 0.8 | 2.8 | 8.73 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
81.2 | 74.5 | 70.1 | 65.4 | 63.5 | 62.2 | 61.4 | 61.8 | 67.2 | 75.6 | 79.5 | 80.9 | 70.3 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 60.2 | 91.0 | 134.8 | 185.0 | 222.5 | 226.9 | 289.8 | 277.1 | 212.8 | 120.7 | 60.4 | 56.5 | 1,937.5 |
Percent possible sunshine | 22.3 | 31.8 | 36.6 | 45.0 | 46.9 | 46.8 | 59.3 | 62.1 | 56.1 | 36.0 | 21.9 | 22.0 | 40.6 |
Average ultraviolet index | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Source 1: Environment and Climate Change Canada[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas(UV)[27] |
Southwest Interior
Here, the winters are comparatively colder, with temperatures between −5 and 4 °C (23 and 39 °F), but still very mild for inland locations. Conversely, summer temperatures are the highest in Canada, generally between 27 and 40.5 °C (80.6 and 104.9 °F). Regional averages range from 26 °C (79 °F) in higher elevations up to 32 °C (90 °F) in Osoyoos, which has the hottest daytime high temperature in Canada. Although the days are hot, the humidity is low and nights are very cool, reaching 15 °C (59 °F) in summer. These regions are typically very dry, with some regions receiving less than 300 mm (12 in) on around 100 days, strongly contrasting with some of the wettest regions in the world on the coast. In spite of the arid climate, temperature inversions are often created in winter which reduces sunshine to just 1700 to 2000 hours a year, exceptionally little for the dryness.
Climate data for Downtown Osoyoos (Osoyoos CS) WMO ID: 71215; coordinates 49°01′42″N 119°26′28″W / 49.02833°N 119.44111°W; elevation: 282.9 m (928 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1954–present[b] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 11.2 | 16.0 | 25.0 | 29.0 | 36.2 | 49.0 | 46.5 | 45.3 | 39.0 | 30.2 | 19.4 | 14.5 | 49.0 |
Record high °C (°F) | 17.5 (63.5) |
17.0 (62.6) |
25.4 (77.7) |
32.8 (91.0) |
36.1 (97.0) |
45.0 (113.0) |
42.8 (109.0) |
41.7 (107.1) |
37.5 (99.5) |
28.9 (84.0) |
21.1 (70.0) |
18.1 (64.6) |
45.0 (113.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 2.0 (35.6) |
6.7 (44.1) |
12.5 (54.5) |
18.1 (64.6) |
23.1 (73.6) |
26.8 (80.2) |
31.5 (88.7) |
31.1 (88.0) |
25.6 (78.1) |
16.4 (61.5) |
7.1 (44.8) |
2.0 (35.6) |
17.0 (62.6) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −0.9 (30.4) |
1.9 (35.4) |
6.6 (43.9) |
10.9 (51.6) |
15.6 (60.1) |
19.2 (66.6) |
22.9 (73.2) |
22.3 (72.1) |
17.3 (63.1) |
10.0 (50.0) |
3.4 (38.1) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
10.7 (51.3) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −3.8 (25.2) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−0.3 (31.5) |
3.6 (38.5) |
7.9 (46.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
14.3 (57.7) |
13.5 (56.3) |
8.9 (48.0) |
3.5 (38.3) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
4.3 (39.7) |
Record low °C (°F) | −26.1 (−15.0) |
−22.0 (−7.6) |
−17.8 (0.0) |
−6.7 (19.9) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
0.6 (33.1) |
5.6 (42.1) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−9.8 (14.4) |
−22.5 (−8.5) |
−26.1 (−15.0) |
−26.1 (−15.0) |
Record low wind chill | −28 | −25 | −20 | −8 | −2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | −2 | −11 | −25 | −26 | −28 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 28.8 (1.13) |
22.3 (0.88) |
24.0 (0.94) |
24.2 (0.95) |
37.1 (1.46) |
41.7 (1.64) |
24.6 (0.97) |
17.3 (0.68) |
14.9 (0.59) |
18.6 (0.73) |
33.8 (1.33) |
35.8 (1.41) |
323.2 (12.72) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 14.3 (0.56) |
17.7 (0.70) |
22.3 (0.88) |
24.1 (0.95) |
37.1 (1.46) |
41.7 (1.64) |
24.6 (0.97) |
17.3 (0.68) |
14.9 (0.59) |
18.5 (0.73) |
28.2 (1.11) |
18.8 (0.74) |
279.4 (11.00) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 14.6 (5.7) |
4.6 (1.8) |
1.7 (0.7) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
5.7 (2.2) |
17.0 (6.7) |
43.8 (17.2) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.0 | 9.2 | 9.9 | 9.7 | 10.4 | 10.2 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 7.8 | 12.2 | 12.3 | 111.1 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 6.0 | 6.9 | 9.2 | 9.6 | 10.4 | 10.2 | 6.7 | 5.5 | 5.2 | 7.7 | 10.2 | 5.6 | 93.4 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 6.7 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 2.7 | 7.6 | 20.9 |
Average afternoon relative humidity (%)
|
73.0 | 58.3 | 42.7 | 33.9 | 34.4 | 35.5 | 28.8 | 30.4 | 36.1 | 47.8 | 65.5 | 73.1 | 46.6 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] |
Southeast Interior
This region, situated further to the east, typically has similar weather to the southwest interior, although with cooler and wetter conditions due to orographic lift and higher elevation. The winters are between −15 and 2 °C (5 and 36 °F), while the summers are 23 to 31 °C (73 to 88 °F).
Climate data for Castlegar (West Kootenay Regional Airport) Climate ID: 1141455; coordinates 49°17′47″N 117°37′57″W / 49.29639°N 117.63250°W; elevation: 495.6 m (1,626 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1916–present[c] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 9.0 | 14.1 | 22.6 | 27.7 | 35.9 | 46.9 | 53.4 | 42.8 | 37.9 | 28.2 | 19.2 | 10.6 | 53.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 10.0 (50.0) |
14.3 (57.7) |
23.1 (73.6) |
32.2 (90.0) |
34.5 (94.1) |
43.9 (111.0) |
41.1 (106.0) |
40.0 (104.0) |
36.8 (98.2) |
27.2 (81.0) |
19.4 (66.9) |
11.7 (53.1) |
43.9 (111.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 0.5 (32.9) |
3.2 (37.8) |
9.4 (48.9) |
15.3 (59.5) |
20.0 (68.0) |
23.6 (74.5) |
28.1 (82.6) |
28.2 (82.8) |
22.0 (71.6) |
12.9 (55.2) |
4.7 (40.5) |
0.0 (32.0) |
14.0 (57.2) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −1.6 (29.1) |
−0.1 (31.8) |
4.4 (39.9) |
8.8 (47.8) |
13.3 (55.9) |
16.8 (62.2) |
20.2 (68.4) |
20.0 (68.0) |
14.7 (58.5) |
8.0 (46.4) |
2.1 (35.8) |
−2.1 (28.2) |
8.7 (47.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −3.7 (25.3) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
2.3 (36.1) |
6.5 (43.7) |
10.0 (50.0) |
12.2 (54.0) |
11.7 (53.1) |
7.3 (45.1) |
3.0 (37.4) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−4.2 (24.4) |
3.4 (38.1) |
Record low °C (°F) | −25.7 (−14.3) |
−25.0 (−13.0) |
−18.3 (−0.9) |
−10.0 (14.0) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.3 (37.9) |
0.0 (32.0) |
−7.8 (18.0) |
−11.3 (11.7) |
−20.2 (−4.4) |
−30.6 (−23.1) |
−30.6 (−23.1) |
Record low wind chill | −32 | −33 | −28 | −9 | −4 | −7 | 0 | 0 | −5 | −19 | −30 | −42 | −42 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 75.5 (2.97) |
51.2 (2.02) |
62.9 (2.48) |
59.3 (2.33) |
70.3 (2.77) |
72.3 (2.85) |
48.1 (1.89) |
30.4 (1.20) |
42.4 (1.67) |
51.3 (2.02) |
96.7 (3.81) |
90.3 (3.56) |
750.9 (29.56) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 26.2 (1.03) |
28.1 (1.11) |
50.1 (1.97) |
57.1 (2.25) |
70.1 (2.76) |
72.3 (2.85) |
48.1 (1.89) |
30.4 (1.20) |
42.4 (1.67) |
49.4 (1.94) |
58.7 (2.31) |
31.3 (1.23) |
564.3 (22.22) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 55.4 (21.8) |
25.7 (10.1) |
13.2 (5.2) |
2.0 (0.8) |
0.2 (0.1) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1.9 (0.7) |
37.5 (14.8) |
64.8 (25.5) |
200.6 (79.0) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 16.5 | 13.4 | 14.5 | 14.4 | 15.5 | 14.4 | 9.7 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 12.1 | 17.4 | 16.6 | 160.3 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.8 | 8.1 | 12.4 | 14.2 | 15.5 | 14.4 | 9.7 | 7.7 | 8.2 | 12.0 | 13.0 | 5.7 | 128.5 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 12.6 | 8.6 | 4.9 | 1.2 | 0.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.7 | 8.2 | 14.5 | 50.7 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm)
|
76.0 | 66.6 | 52.5 | 42.8 | 43.7 | 45.7 | 37.3 | 35.0 | 42.6 | 58.1 | 74.6 | 77.7 | 54.4 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 38.9 | 76.1 | 128.8 | 173.8 | 226.7 | 233.0 | 291.9 | 276.3 | 204.0 | 123.2 | 48.2 | 33.4 | 1,854.2 |
Percent possible sunshine | 14.4 | 26.7 | 35.0 | 42.3 | 47.8 | 48.0 | 59.6 | 61.9 | 53.8 | 36.8 | 17.5 | 13.0 | 38.1 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[36][37] |
Cariboo
This region typically has cooler weather due to increased latitude and altitude, but is still generally warmer than much of Canada at similar latitudes. Here, the winters are between −20 and 0 °C (−4 and 32 °F), while summers are between 18 and 25 °C (64 and 77 °F).
Climate data for Prince George (Prince George Airport) WMO ID: 71896; coordinates 53°53′27″N 122°40′44″W / 53.89083°N 122.67889°W; elevation: 691.3 m (2,268 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1942–present | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 12.8 | 12.2 | 18.5 | 29.2 | 35.3 | 38.4 | 37.3 | 36.1 | 32.7 | 25.1 | 16.6 | 10.9 | 38.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 12.8 (55.0) |
12.8 (55.0) |
19.9 (67.8) |
29.7 (85.5) |
36.0 (96.8) |
38.4 (101.1) |
35.6 (96.1) |
33.4 (92.1) |
31.4 (88.5) |
25.2 (77.4) |
18.8 (65.8) |
11.7 (53.1) |
38.4 (101.1) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −4.0 (24.8) |
−0.4 (31.3) |
5.2 (41.4) |
11.2 (52.2) |
16.7 (62.1) |
20.2 (68.4) |
22.4 (72.3) |
22.0 (71.6) |
16.7 (62.1) |
9.4 (48.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
−3.5 (25.7) |
9.7 (49.5) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −7.9 (17.8) |
−5.0 (23.0) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
5.0 (41.0) |
10.1 (50.2) |
13.8 (56.8) |
15.8 (60.4) |
15.0 (59.0) |
10.4 (50.7) |
4.5 (40.1) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
−7.2 (19.0) |
4.3 (39.7) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −11.7 (10.9) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
3.4 (38.1) |
7.3 (45.1) |
9.1 (48.4) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.0 (39.2) |
−0.5 (31.1) |
−5.9 (21.4) |
−10.9 (12.4) |
−1.1 (30.0) |
Record low °C (°F) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
−45.0 (−49.0) |
−37.8 (−36.0) |
−25.6 (−14.1) |
−8.3 (17.1) |
−2.8 (27.0) |
−1.7 (28.9) |
−3.9 (25.0) |
−12.2 (10.0) |
−26.5 (−15.7) |
−41.7 (−43.1) |
−45.6 (−50.1) |
−50.0 (−58.0) |
Record low wind chill | −51.5 | −50.7 | −46.0 | −32.9 | −12.5 | −4.6 | 0.0 | −3.5 | −11.5 | −31.8 | −48.2 | −49.4 | −51.5 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 52.9 (2.08) |
29.5 (1.16) |
29.7 (1.17) |
36.0 (1.42) |
49.0 (1.93) |
65.3 (2.57) |
62.1 (2.44) |
51.5 (2.03) |
56.3 (2.22) |
63.3 (2.49) |
55.3 (2.18) |
43.9 (1.73) |
594.9 (23.42) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 8.1 (0.32) |
6.7 (0.26) |
12.0 (0.47) |
28.9 (1.14) |
47.2 (1.86) |
65.3 (2.57) |
62.1 (2.44) |
51.5 (2.03) |
55.9 (2.20) |
56.5 (2.22) |
23.9 (0.94) |
5.6 (0.22) |
423.6 (16.68) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 54.6 (21.5) |
28.1 (11.1) |
20.8 (8.2) |
7.4 (2.9) |
1.9 (0.7) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.1) |
7.9 (3.1) |
36.2 (14.3) |
47.7 (18.8) |
205.1 (80.7) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 15.2 | 11.7 | 11.3 | 10.3 | 13.5 | 15.2 | 14.3 | 13.1 | 12.6 | 15.8 | 15.6 | 14.3 | 162.9 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 3.2 | 3.6 | 5.7 | 8.6 | 13.1 | 15.2 | 14.3 | 13.1 | 12.6 | 14.6 | 7.0 | 2.6 | 113.5 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 14.0 | 9.9 | 7.9 | 3.3 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 11.3 | 13.3 | 63.4 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
77.4 | 66.2 | 52.1 | 42.4 | 41.2 | 45.7 | 46.8 | 46.5 | 51.5 | 61.5 | 76.8 | 78.9 | 57.3 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 49.0 | 84.0 | 153.5 | 204.6 | 247.5 | 251.0 | 286.2 | 261.8 | 177.7 | 108.0 | 51.2 | 43.6 | 1,918.1 |
Percent possible sunshine | 19.7 | 30.5 | 41.8 | 48.7 | 50.1 | 49.2 | 55.8 | 56.9 | 46.5 | 32.9 | 19.8 | 18.7 | 39.2 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[38] |
North Coast
The North Coast of British Columbia typically has winters that are remarkably similar to the southern Coast, but with much cooler summers between 13 and 20 °C (55 and 68 °F). It is also very wet, with 1,500 to 4,500 mm (59 to 177 in) of precipitation a year falling on around 230 days. The North Coast is one of the cloudiest places in Canada, with Stewart, British Columbia having only 985 hours of sun a year.[39]
Climate data for Prince Rupert (Prince Rupert Airport) Climate ID: 1066481; coordinates 54°17′33″N 130°26′41″W / 54.29250°N 130.44472°W; elevation: 35.4 m (116 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1908–present[d] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 17.2 | 18.6 | 17.9 | 22.8 | 29.3 | 27.8 | 29.1 | 31.6 | 28.5 | 23.4 | 19.3 | 16.1 | 31.6 |
Record high °C (°F) | 17.8 (64.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
20.0 (68.0) |
25.5 (77.9) |
29.4 (84.9) |
32.2 (90.0) |
30.6 (87.1) |
30.0 (86.0) |
27.0 (80.6) |
21.7 (71.1) |
20.0 (68.0) |
18.9 (66.0) |
32.2 (90.0) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 5.6 (42.1) |
6.1 (43.0) |
7.7 (45.9) |
10.2 (50.4) |
12.6 (54.7) |
14.7 (58.5) |
16.2 (61.2) |
17.0 (62.6) |
14.9 (58.8) |
11.1 (52.0) |
7.3 (45.1) |
5.5 (41.9) |
10.8 (51.4) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | 2.4 (36.3) |
2.7 (36.9) |
4.2 (39.6) |
6.4 (43.5) |
9.0 (48.2) |
11.6 (52.9) |
13.4 (56.1) |
13.8 (56.8) |
11.5 (52.7) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.3 (39.7) |
2.7 (36.9) |
7.5 (45.5) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −0.8 (30.6) |
−0.7 (30.7) |
0.6 (33.1) |
2.5 (36.5) |
5.4 (41.7) |
8.4 (47.1) |
10.5 (50.9) |
10.6 (51.1) |
8.0 (46.4) |
4.9 (40.8) |
1.3 (34.3) |
−0.2 (31.6) |
4.2 (39.6) |
Record low °C (°F) | −24.4 (−11.9) |
−18.1 (−0.6) |
−17.2 (1.0) |
−7.1 (19.2) |
−3.7 (25.3) |
1.1 (34.0) |
2.8 (37.0) |
2.8 (37.0) |
−2.2 (28.0) |
−11.3 (11.7) |
−20.6 (−5.1) |
−22.8 (−9.0) |
−24.4 (−11.9) |
Record low wind chill | −34 | −25 | −23 | −11 | −5 | −1 | 1 | 0 | −6 | −17 | −28 | −31 | −34 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 276.3 (10.88) |
185.6 (7.31) |
199.6 (7.86) |
172.4 (6.79) |
137.6 (5.42) |
108.8 (4.28) |
118.7 (4.67) |
169.1 (6.66) |
266.3 (10.48) |
373.6 (14.71) |
317.0 (12.48) |
294.2 (11.58) |
2,619.1 (103.11) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 252.9 (9.96) |
167.1 (6.58) |
188.4 (7.42) |
169.6 (6.68) |
137.5 (5.41) |
108.7 (4.28) |
118.7 (4.67) |
169.1 (6.66) |
266.3 (10.48) |
373.4 (14.70) |
306.9 (12.08) |
271.7 (10.70) |
2,530.4 (99.62) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 25.6 (10.1) |
19.3 (7.6) |
11.8 (4.6) |
2.8 (1.1) |
0.1 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.3 (0.1) |
9.7 (3.8) |
22.8 (9.0) |
92.4 (36.4) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 22.5 | 18.5 | 21.7 | 19.6 | 18.3 | 17.3 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 19.8 | 24.2 | 23.8 | 22.8 | 243.5 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 20.4 | 16.4 | 20.3 | 19.4 | 18.3 | 17.3 | 17.5 | 17.5 | 19.8 | 24.2 | 23.4 | 21.5 | 235.9 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 5.0 | 4.2 | 3.6 | 1.2 | 0.08 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.04 | 0.20 | 2.9 | 4.6 | 21.7 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 3pm)
|
78.5 | 71.5 | 68.1 | 67.7 | 71.2 | 75.0 | 77.6 | 77.7 | 76.1 | 77.5 | 77.6 | 80.2 | 74.9 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 40.1 | 65.2 | 103.0 | 145.8 | 171.1 | 154.5 | 149.7 | 149.7 | 115.7 | 72.4 | 43.0 | 32.1 | 1,242.1 |
Percent possible sunshine | 16.2 | 23.8 | 28.1 | 34.6 | 34.5 | 30.1 | 29.1 | 32.4 | 30.2 | 22.1 | 16.7 | 13.9 | 26.0 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47] |
Northeast
The northeast of the province is the only region east of the Rocky Mountains, causing conditions similar to the rest of Canada and similar to neighbouring Alberta. Winters are −10 to −30 °C (14 to −22 °F) while summers are 18 to 26 °C (64 to 79 °F).
Climate data for Fort St. John (Fort St. John Airport) WMO ID: 71943; coordinates 56°14′17″N 120°44′25″W / 56.23806°N 120.74028°W; elevation: 694.9 m (2,280 ft); 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1910–present[e] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high humidex | 12.7 | 12.4 | 17.3 | 27.4 | 31.5 | 34.3 | 37.4 | 34.5 | 32.6 | 25.4 | 16.2 | 11.2 | 37.4 |
Record high °C (°F) | 12.9 (55.2) |
15.0 (59.0) |
18.0 (64.4) |
28.5 (83.3) |
32.2 (90.0) |
31.7 (89.1) |
38.3 (100.9) |
33.6 (92.5) |
32.2 (90.0) |
26.7 (80.1) |
18.3 (64.9) |
15.0 (59.0) |
38.3 (100.9) |
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −8.7 (16.3) |
−5.1 (22.8) |
0.1 (32.2) |
9.1 (48.4) |
15.5 (59.9) |
19.6 (67.3) |
21.7 (71.1) |
20.5 (68.9) |
15.2 (59.4) |
7.7 (45.9) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−7.4 (18.7) |
7.1 (44.8) |
Daily mean °C (°F) | −12.8 (9.0) |
−9.6 (14.7) |
−4.6 (23.7) |
3.9 (39.0) |
9.8 (49.6) |
14.1 (57.4) |
16.2 (61.2) |
14.9 (58.8) |
10.1 (50.2) |
3.6 (38.5) |
−6.6 (20.1) |
−11.4 (11.5) |
2.3 (36.1) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −16.9 (1.6) |
−14.0 (6.8) |
−9.2 (15.4) |
−1.3 (29.7) |
4.0 (39.2) |
8.6 (47.5) |
10.7 (51.3) |
9.2 (48.6) |
4.9 (40.8) |
−0.6 (30.9) |
−10.2 (13.6) |
−15.3 (4.5) |
−2.5 (27.5) |
Record low °C (°F) | −53.9 (−65.0) |
−50.0 (−58.0) |
−37.8 (−36.0) |
−31.1 (−24.0) |
−13.1 (8.4) |
−5.6 (21.9) |
−4.4 (24.1) |
−2.9 (26.8) |
−12.8 (9.0) |
−25.0 (−13.0) |
−39.2 (−38.6) |
−50.6 (−59.1) |
−53.9 (−65.0) |
Record low wind chill | −59.5 | −59.3 | −48.7 | −37.8 | −19.9 | −6.2 | 0.0 | −7.8 | −18.4 | −35.3 | −58.3 | −53.9 | −59.5 |
Average precipitation mm (inches) | 25.4 (1.00) |
19.0 (0.75) |
23.7 (0.93) |
20.0 (0.79) |
37.9 (1.49) |
65.6 (2.58) |
75.2 (2.96) |
51.2 (2.02) |
44.7 (1.76) |
30.8 (1.21) |
29.2 (1.15) |
22.0 (0.87) |
444.7 (17.51) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.02) |
0.4 (0.02) |
0.7 (0.03) |
9.7 (0.38) |
31.9 (1.26) |
65.6 (2.58) |
75.2 (2.96) |
51.1 (2.01) |
40.0 (1.57) |
13.3 (0.52) |
3.4 (0.13) |
0.7 (0.03) |
292.4 (11.51) |
Average snowfall cm (inches) | 32.7 (12.9) |
25.3 (10.0) |
28.7 (11.3) |
12.7 (5.0) |
6.4 (2.5) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.0) |
4.8 (1.9) |
19.6 (7.7) |
32.5 (12.8) |
26.8 (10.6) |
189.6 (74.6) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 10.6 | 8.4 | 9.0 | 6.9 | 8.8 | 11.1 | 12.9 | 10.4 | 10.4 | 9.6 | 11.1 | 9.5 | 118.5 |
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 7.9 | 11.1 | 12.9 | 10.4 | 10.0 | 5.5 | 2.1 | 0.6 | 66.0 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 10.8 | 9.0 | 8.8 | 4.0 | 1.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.0 | 5.4 | 10.3 | 9.5 | 60.3 |
Average relative humidity (%) (at 15:00 LST)
|
68.5 | 62.9 | 53.8 | 42.6 | 41.1 | 45.7 | 49.3 | 50.6 | 52.4 | 57.9 | 72.3 | 71.5 | 55.7 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 74.3 | 106.4 | 175.0 | 223.4 | 267.7 | 266.5 | 287.4 | 260.0 | 177.7 | 134.7 | 70.5 | 51.8 | 2,095.4 |
Percent possible sunshine | 31.5 | 39.4 | 47.8 | 52.5 | 52.9 | 50.6 | 54.5 | 55.5 | 46.3 | 41.6 | 28.4 | 23.8 | 43.7 |
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada[48][49][50][51][52] |
Municipality | January | April | July | October | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | Max | Min | |
Prince Rupert | 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) | −0.8 °C (30.6 °F) | 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) | 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) | 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) | 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) | 11.1 °C (52.0 °F) | 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) |
Tofino | 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) | 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) | 11.9 °C (53.4 °F) | 4.0 °C (39.2 °F) | 18.9 °C (66.0 °F) | 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) | 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) | 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) |
Nanaimo | 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) | 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) | 14.1 °C (57.4 °F) | 3.9 °C (39.0 °F) | 23.9 °C (75.0 °F) | 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) | 14.6 °C (58.3 °F) | 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) |
Victoria | 7.6 °C (45.7 °F) | 1.5 °C (34.7 °F) | 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) | 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) | 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) | 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) | 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) | 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) |
Vancouver | 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) | 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) | 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) | 5.6 °C (42.1 °F) | 22.2 °C (72.0 °F) | 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) | 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) | 7.0 °C (44.6 °F) |
Chilliwack | 6.1 °C (43.0 °F) | 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) | 15.8 °C (60.4 °F) | 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) | 25.0 °C (77.0 °F) | 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) | 15.3 °C (59.5 °F) | 6.4 °C (43.5 °F) |
Penticton | 1.8 °C (35.2 °F) | −3.0 °C (26.6 °F) | 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) | 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) | 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) | 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) | 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) | 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) |
Kamloops | 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) | −5.9 °C (21.4 °F) | 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) | 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) | 28.9 °C (84.0 °F) | 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) | 13.7 °C (56.7 °F) | 3.3 °C (37.9 °F) |
Osoyoos | 2.0 °C (35.6 °F) | −3.8 °C (25.2 °F) | 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) | 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) | 31.5 °C (88.7 °F) | 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) | 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) | 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) |
Princeton | −1.4 °C (29.5 °F) | −8.6 °C (16.5 °F) | 14.4 °C (57.9 °F) | −0.3 °C (31.5 °F) | 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) | 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) | 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) | 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) |
Cranbrook | −1.9 °C (28.6 °F) | −10.2 °C (13.6 °F) | 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) | 0.3 °C (32.5 °F) | 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) | 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) | 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) | −0.3 °C (31.5 °F) |
Prince George | −4.0 °C (24.8 °F) | −11.7 °C (10.9 °F) | 11.2 °C (52.2 °F) | −1.1 °C (30.0 °F) | 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) | 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) | 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) | −0.5 °C (31.1 °F) |
Fort Nelson | −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) | −24.6 °C (−12.3 °F) | 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) | −3.6 °C (25.5 °F) | 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) | 10.9 °C (51.6 °F) | 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) | −4.2 °C (24.4 °F) |
Parks and Protected Areas
There are 14 designations of parks and protected areas in the province that reflect the different administration and creation of these areas in a modern context. There are 141 Ecological Reserves, 35 Provincial Marine Parks, 7 Provincial Heritage Sites, 6 National Historic Sites, 4 National Parks and 3 National Park Reserves. 12.5% (114,000 km2) of BC is currently considered 'protected' under one of the 14 different designations that includes over 800 distinct areas.
British Columbia contains seven of
- Glacier National Park
- Gulf Islands National Park Reserve
- Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site
- Kootenay National Park
- Mount Revelstoke National Park
- Pacific Rim National Park Reserve
- Yoho National Park
BC also contains a large network of provincial parks, run by BC Parks of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy.
In addition to parks, British Columbia also protects approximately 47,000 square kilometers of agricultural land via the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Ecoregions
Environment Canada system
World Wildlife Fund system
In an ecoregion system advanced by the
Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia
The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range subdivides the province's ecoregions into a system of biogeoclimatic zones:[54]
- Coastal old growth forest from logging.
- Garry oak, and manzanita.
- ranching, and orchard-growing. The winters are cold and dry, and the summers are hot and drier.
- Interior Subalpine Firare also common, depending on the elevation. The dense and diverse forests make this zone the second most productive forest zone in British Columbia and Canada.
- Sub-Boreal (.
- .
- Mountain Zones: At higher elevations (above about 850 m on the southwest coast, less as one goes farther inland and north), the summers are shorter and the winters are colder. Along the coast, the lush, diverse forests give way to more uniform stands of Lodgepole Pine, the trees clumped among meadows and grassland.
Floristic province
In
Political geography
Founded as several colonies as part of the British Empire, the political geography is complicated by the fact that during colonization no treaties or conquests of First Nations (the indigenous people) occurred outside of a few small areas of the province. The resulting legal and political system is based upon the British, and later Canadian state that evolved from it. At present much of the province is subject to contested title and political rights with First Nations. The issue used to be called the Indian Land Question, though the term is no longer used. On-going disputes have included protest, political activity and legal challenges, including the recent
British Columbia is divided into defined regions for various political purposes. One is for the purpose of providing local government services in various ways. Among the most important subdivisions of the province are forest regions and forest districts, which have jurisdiction over forests and their management, and also
The provincial judicial system also subdivides the province into counties, though this is mostly only procedural and does not impact directly on daily life.
All such regions and underlying title and survey descriptions are organized by land districts, which are the cadastral survey system underlying all legal descriptions in the province and date from the original Lands Act in the days of the Colony of British Columbia and Colony of Vancouver Island.
Local government
In the case of municipal-type services, there are municipalities, which are incorporated areas, and regional districts, which are groups of member municipalities and rural areas. Another purpose is for the provision of provincial services. The provincial government has dividing certain services into regional services, such as health authorities and agricultural commissions, which administer specified regions according to their own policies. The province is also divided to provide electoral districts by Elections BC for provincial elections and Elections Canada for federal elections. In addition to these, Indian Reserves have been established throughout the province but are administered by the federal government.
In order to fund community-wide services, such as a sewer system, urban areas incorporate to form municipalities. The vast majority of British Columbians live in these municipalities but there are also large areas of unincorporated rural areas around the municipalities. In 1964 the provincial government created regional districts, through amendments to the Municipal Act, to better coordinate regional issues and provide community services to unincorporated areas. Only one area, the sparsely populated Stikine Region in northwest B.C., is not covered by a regional district and municipal-type powers are administered directly by the provincial government. The Stikine Region has a permanent population of only 1,352 people, most of them aboriginal, and covers an area of 135,391 square kilometers with no municipalities within its borders. its only major towns being
Regional districts
Since 1966–67, British Columbia has been segmented into 27 regional districts as a way of extending municipal powers outside of municipalities. These regional districts are governed by boards composed of representatives of member municipalities and electoral areas. The unincorporated area of the regional district is segmented into electoral areas. Each electoral area elects one director who sits on the Regional Board and the Electoral Area Directors Committee. The
The regional districts are used to provide local government services (mostly zoning, building inspection, etc.) to unincorporated areas, sub-regional services (e.g. street bridge over a border) between two or more members, regional parks, and regional services (e.g. funding the regional hospital district)[citation needed] required for the entire area. Also, as a collection of municipalities they are able to borrow funds for capital projects at lower interest rates.[citation needed]
Municipalities
There are over 150 municipalities in British Columbia. They are divided into cities, districts, towns and villages, according to their population at the time of their incorporation.[57] There are also three other municipalities that were incorporated for special purposes. These are the Resort Municipality of Whistler, Sechelt Indian Government District, and Bowen Island Municipality. With the exception of the City of Vancouver all municipalities attain their legislative powers from the Local Government Act (formerly the Municipal Act),[58] which is being replaced, in phases, by the Community Charter.[59] The City of Vancouver obtains its legislative authority from the Vancouver Charter.
Indian reserves & band governments
British Columbia has a large number of
Provincial electoral districts
For representation in the
Federal electoral districts
The province of British Columbia currently has 42 electoral districts represented in the House of Commons of Canada. Regional voting patterns are similar to those for provincial ridings, except that many voters vote differently federally than they do provincially, particularly on the right.[citation needed]
See also
Notes
- ^ 1981–2010 normals are for Vancouver International Airport, while extreme high and low temperatures are from Vancouver PMO (October 1898 to May 1945),[12] and Vancouver International Airport (January 1937 to present).[13]
- ^ Extreme temperatures are for Osoyoos West 1954-present, and precipitation is for Osoyoos West 1981-2010.
- ^ Climate data was recorded at Castlegar from July 1916 to June 1963 and at Castlegar Airport from December 1965 to present.
- ^ Climate data was recorded in Prince Rupert from August 1908 to December 1962 and at Prince Rupert Airport from May 1962 to present.
- ^ Climate data was recorded in the city of Fort St. John from January 1910 to February 1945, and at Fort St. John Airport from March 1942 to present.
References
- ^ Landforms of British Columbia, S. Holland, BC Government Bulletin No. 48f
- ^ "Rocky Mountains". Archived from the original on July 14, 2007. Retrieved February 6, 2016., "Central Foreland NATMAP Project Introduction". Archived from the original on April 4, 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2006.
- ^ "Monashee Mountains". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
- ^ Skiing the Pacific Ring of Fire and Beyond: Alaska & Northwest Canada
- ^ S2CID 129461798.
- ^ [1] Archived August 10, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "British Columbia". MSN Encarta. Archived from the original on January 20, 2008.
- Environment Canada. Archived from the originalon July 13, 2020. Retrieved May 29, 2016.
- ^ "Calculation Information for 1981 to 2010 Canadian Normals Data". Environment Canada. September 25, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
- ^ "1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals". Environment and Climate Change Canada. November 25, 2021. Climate ID: 1016335. Retrieved February 27, 2022.
- ^ "Environment Canada splits Metro Vancouver into 5 weather forecast sub-areas". Retrieved May 16, 2020.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1898". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
- ^ "Monthly Data Report for 1937". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "1981 to 2010 Canadian Climate Normals". Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 22, 2015. Climate ID: 1108447. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for March 1941". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for April 1934". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for September 1944". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1934". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for December 1939". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for August 1910". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for September 1908". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1935". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Calculation Information" (PDF). Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved May 12, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for November 2016". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for November 1898". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for June 1925". Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "Vancouver, Canada - Detailed climate information and monthly weather forecast". Weather Atlas. Yu Media Group. Retrieved July 6, 2019.
- ^ "Osoyoos Climate Normals". Environment Canada. Retrieved October 22, 2015.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for December 2007". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for January 2014". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2015". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "Osoyoos West". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for October 1975". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2015". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 27, 2016.
- ^ "71215: Osoyoos Automatic Weather Reporting System (Canada)". ogimet.com. OGIMET. December 1, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981-2010 Station Data". Environment Canada. September 25, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for June 2015". Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved February 27, 2017.
- ^ "Prince George Airport". Environment and Climate Change Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 Station Data Stewart Airport". Environment and Climate Change Canada. September 25, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
- ^ "Prince Rupert A". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved August 27, 2015.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for June 1958". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for January 1958". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for March 1926". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for May 1912". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for July 1949". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for August 1916". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Daily Data Report for November 1949". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Archived from the original on August 10, 2016. Retrieved June 17, 2016.
- ^ "Fort St. John A, British Columbia". Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved July 13, 2015.
- ^ "July 1941". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "January 1911". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "Fort St John". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "April 2016". Canadian Climate Data. Environment and Climate Change Canada. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
- ^ "Canadian Climate Normals or Averages 1981–2010". Environment Canada. October 31, 2011. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
- ^ Cameron Young, The Forests of British Columbia (North Vancouver: Whitecap Books, 1985); R.C. Hosie, Native Trees of Canada, seventh edition (Ottawa: Canadian Forestry Service, 1969)
- ^ Union of British Columbia Municipalities website Archived 2005-10-31 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Islands Trust website
- ^ "A Guide to Municipal Incorporation" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 3, 2005. Retrieved November 3, 2005.
- ^ Local Government Act (formerly the Municipal Act) Archived October 30, 2005, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Legislative Assembly of British Columbia Archived 2005-11-23 at the Wayback Machine
External links
- Biogeoclimatic Zones of British Columbia
- Ecosystems of British Columbia
- List of parks
- Land Cover
- Relief Map of British Columbia
- Ecoregions of British Columbia
- Ecoregion Classification Background
- British Columbia: BCStats
- Erica A. Massey: A Comparative Study of Glaciovolcanic Palagonitization of Tholeitic and Alkaline Sideromelane in Helgafell, Icland, and Wells Gray-Clearwater Volcanic Filed, BC, Canada. B.Sc., The University of British Columbia, 2014