Hurray for Bad Weather! (Storm Watching in Ucluelet)

"How's the weather been for you?" he asked her.

"Absolutely terrible!!"  She says from her hotel room phone.  "The wind has picked up to 80km an hour, almost blows your face right off."  She continues, "and the rain, it's a torrential and seems like it is coming at me from the side, even the ground."

He tries to get a word in but she cuts him off.

"The waves are coming in like monsters too.  They slam into the rocks and white spray fires 30 feet into the air...over the lighthouse.  Everyone is yelling at eachother over all the commotion!" she tells him.

"That sounds awful!  Bad luck, huh, such bad weather for your holiday."

"Are you crazy?  These storms are phenomenal!  I am having the time of my life!" she exclaims.

Winter storms on the west coast of Vancouver Island are AWESOME!  There really is no other way to describe them. 

Ucluelet sees over 4 metres of rainfall each year, most of which arrives from November through March.  Low pressure systems move north towards Alaska in a curving motion.  At the same time a frontal wave is created between the northern arctic air and the sub tropical air and starts heading southeast.  As it moves along the pressure drops at a rapid pace towards Ucluelet...then the pressure system increases more and more...and so do the waves and the wind speed!

Photography credits to Liisa Neilsen (left) and Brian Congdon (right)

So suit up in your Ucluelet Tuxedo (full head-to-toe raingear) and go for an adventurous tromp down the Wild Pacific Trail during a winter storm.  You'll experience the fury of the ocean, feel the water spray against the rugged coastline (and in your face, most likely), and watch giant waves crash over the Amphitrite Lighthouse. 

Or stay cozy and warm in your oceanfront accommodation and watch it from behind a fireplace with a glass of wine in hand.   There are plenty of accommodation providers with an ocean view, many with special storm watching packages available.  You can find more information on our accommodation page.

Next time you plan your Ucluelet holiday, keep your fingers crossed for terrible weather!

By Amy Hancock