The warmest December on record
Treasure hunt begins for wreck of famous local ship sailing. City councillor dies overseas. Weather warning.
Good morning !
The final numbers show that last month was by many metrics the warmest December recorded in Greater Victoria.
More on that below, plus an update on the hunt for a ship that left local shores nearly 150 years ago and never returned.
Did you notice last month being unusually warm?
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Victoria’s warmest December on record
Last month was at the top of most temperature leader-boards at both of the Victoria area’s major measurement stations, per Environment Canada weather stats compiled by YYJ Weather Records.
At Gonzales station, records began in 1898. There, Dec. 2023 had the highest minimum temperature on record for a December (3.0C), and the co-highest mean (7.6C, tie with 1939).
The airport station’s mean of 6.8C was also the highest since records began, in 1940, and nearly two degrees more than what has been typical in recent decades. The minimum (-1.3C) was third-highest on record, behind 2012 and 1999.
Last month also stayed above 2C at Gonzales the entire month—just the sixth time in more than 125 years that that has happened in December.
#Victoria just had its highest December minimum temperature since records began. The minimum temperature was 3.0°C. #YyjWx
8:25 PM • Jan 7, 2024
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The uncommonly warm winter has been connected to El Niño, and there are concerns that it will cause problems next summer by producing conditions that lead to drought and fire. This coming week, though, is expected to be more normal and to bring snow and negative temperatures to the south Island.
Yesterday we published a story on how changing weather is changing Island ski hills (and the people who grew up on them).
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Winter weather warning:
East Island: Possible snow at sea level then heavy rain.
West Island: Very strong winds and rains late Monday and into Tuesday.
South Island: Very strong winds late Monday and into Tuesday
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
Victoria’s indoor pickleball programs begin tomorrow.
Saanich council meeting tonight.
NEWS
Treasure hunt to begin at site of famous shipwreck
Image via Lost Bonanzas of Western Canada and Wikimedia
The SS Pacific departed from Esquimalt in 1875 before sinking off the coast of Cape Flattery, taking with it hundreds of lives and an estimated $10M (in modern currency) worth of gold being transported by gold miners. It was one of the region’s worst tragedies of its kind, though later eclipsed by the sinking of the Victoria-bound SS Princess Sophia.
The finding of the SS Pacific was announced in late 2022, and a window emerged for descendants to claim the ship’s cargo.
That window has recently lapsed and a Seattle company has begun investigating the wreckage. Salvaging of the sunken artifacts begins this summer, with Rockfish Incorporated's Jeff Hummel telling CHEK that the wreck could join the likes of the Titanic as an iconic sunken ship.
Hummel initially vowed to recover valuable negatives taken during Canadian Pacific rail surveying. But those images, depicting a key part of Canadian history, were actually recovered soon after the sinking.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🤿 Slow-moving sea critters: An undersea tour of nudibranchs and sea stars of all kinds—orange ones, bright blue ones, few arms, many arms, flat bodies, puffed-up bodies, and more. [Facebook photos]
🚀 Don’t be afraid to jump in! Stay current with career-focused training. Micro-credentials, diplomas and certificates. Gain a fresh perspective with Continuing Studies at UVic.*
🌲🐐 A Christmas feast for the goats: Tree disposal at Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. [Photos]
❄️ Winter weather safety guides from Saanich and PreparedBC.
❓ Have questions, comments, or concerns about provincial policies, programs, and services in Oak Bay-Gordon Head? Contact BC NDP MLA Murray Rankin at Murray.Rankin.MLA@leg.bc.ca or 250-472-8528.*
🍱 Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of the 18 categories here!
🤝 Now hiring: Barn worker at Tally-Ho Carriage Tours.
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Former Port Alberni councillor and classic car enthusiast dies in New Zealand crash
Helen Poon, 34, a 2018-2022 councillor and 2020 BC Liberal candidate, died on Jan. 4 after the Dec. 30 crash. Although the highway brought about her death, it also shaped her life. Her love of cars—and people—brought Poon on road trips to BC’s small towns, around the world, and to Port Alberni (which she moved to in 2017 after visiting with an auto club). [Alberni Valley News]
Developer wants to add 2 storeys to Esquimalt condo—while it’s being built
Citing rising costs and interest rates, Lexi Group has applied to duplicate its sixth floor twice in the in-progress Pacific House. This would add 16 units for a total of 82, with one unit of up to 999 sq. ft. being offered to the Township for free if the extra floors are approved. [Citified]
Saanich’s Fifteen Fifty’s shuts after 50 years
The pub-style restaurant, was known for its atmosphere and day-of-the-week deals. Its owner of 30 years confirmed its sale to Langford’s The Rack West Coast Bistro, which will now open a second location there. [Tasting Victoria]
🗓️ Things to do
🎵 Ukulele Strumalong: Tonight’s event at the Fernwood Inn has been cancelled, and the next strumalong is scheduled for Feb. 5.
📖 Story Time sessions for ages 0-5 continue on Tuesdays at Esquimalt Neighbourhood House. 10:15-11am.
🔎 Final week of Angkor exhibit at RBCM, which covers the rise, fall, and daily life of the ancient empire that once flourished in Cambodia. Ends Jan. 14.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Christmas chipping: The weekend events are over, but there are still ways to get trees chipped. [RCBC local list]
News anchor CHEKs back in: Scott Fee, who was at the station when its employees bought its broadcast licence for $2 in 2009, replaces Calgary-bound Hannah Lepine on weekends. [CHEK]
Jan 7 - How winter is changing on the Island—and its ski hills
Most memorable local food & drink of 2023. Lawsuit over noisy elevator. Comox Valley gets 44 doctors. Fatal fire on Xmas Eve.
“A heck of a month for mushrooms”: Check out these photos of Island mushrooms found in December.
Abkhazi Garden & Teahouse closed from today until Weds. next week.
Thank you! You raised nearly $50K in one week to help local families. [Capital Daily]
CORRECTION: Yesterday, some editions went out with the subject line “Skiing in the age if climate change” rather than “Skiing in the age of climate change.”