The phenomenon of the mild winter of Victoria, BC, compared to the much colder one of Halifax, NS, has a reason….

Typically, spring blooms begin in Victoria, BC, in February. I’m a Maritimer, so I can tell you that a spring bloom in late March there would be welcome, but not typical. Why does spring arrive at Halifax so much later, when Halifax is significantly further south – 44°N, versus 48°N in the case of Victoria?

The answer is simple: a warm ocean current flows to Canada’s west (Pacific) coast, while a cold one flows to Canada’s east (Atlantic) coast.

The current flowing to the Pacific side begins around the Philippines as Kiro Siwo. Reaching this side of the ocean, it becomes the North Pacific Current, bringing tropical warmth to Canada’s west coast.

To Canada’s Atlantic coast, the Labrador Current brings cold water from around Greenland and the Arctic islands. Hence, the longer, colder winters there.

I’ll be talking more about ocean currents in future posts:)

Source:

Stanford, Quentin H., editor. Canadian Oxford School Atlas, 6th ed. Toronto: Oxford
   University Press.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.