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It may still be spring, but this weekend is shaping up to be a quintessential Victoria summer affair, with multiple festivals and opportunities to get out and enjoy your community.

The Oak Bay Tea Party, Cook Street Village Block Party, Vic West Fest, Island Fan Con, and more are making for a busy first week of June.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ⛅ 20 / 11

Tomorrow: 🌦 16 / 8

Day after: 🌦 14 / 10

7-day forecast

There’s been a sense of panic in the media over the last couple of weeks, with predictions of a “super El Niño” set to hit the globe with devastating results. While an El Niño is certainly likely to arrive soon—on Tuesday, the United Nations (UN) put out a warning urging the world to prepare for it—concerns of it being super may be premature.

El Niño is a phase of a cyclical climate pattern known as the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). It causes warmer ocean temperatures in the tropical Pacific, which can alter weather patterns globally. La Niña is the cold phase, creating opposite concerns. These phases cycle every two to seven years.

While some scientists are warning it could be one of the strongest El Niños in decades, others say it’s too soon to make that call. Right now, Victoria climate experts aren’t too worried.

Charles Curry, a UVic researcher and regional climate impacts lead at the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, says there’s an 80% chance that an El Niño will occur soon, but only a 30% chance that it will be strong. 

“The latest information I've been able to find doesn't quite track with some of the media,” Curry told Capital Daily. “As of now, there's nothing to indicate it's going to be very remarkable in that sense.”

Curry says the impacts of this El Niño will become clearer as we head into the fall and winter. He says if it’s strong, BC can expect a warmer, drier winter. 

We’ll be the first to notice the effects in Canada, says Bill Merryfield, climate researcher with Environment Canada and UVic, given that we’re on the Pacific Coast.

From flood concerns to low snowpacks, a warm winter could heighten the issues caused by climate change on the Island.

Read the full story here.

BC Budget 2027 Consultations portal is open until June 19. 

Saanich single-lane traffic: Tillicum at Burnside West, today, 9am to 3pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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The Saanich School Board says it has a rodent problem on its hands—particularly at Brentwood Elementary and North Saanich Middle School—but it says it has things under control.

“We have noticed an increase in rodent population across the district,” Rob Lumb, SD63’s director of facilities, tells Capital Daily.

“There have been a couple of schools—North Saanich being one and Brentwood being another—that have been on our radar.”

Parents and teachers have posted social media messages with concern over the situation, which has left teachers and school staff to remove rodent droppings.

“I have had to clean up messes, even though WorkSafe says we shouldn't,” said one poster who identified themself as a teacher.

“This is creating unsafe working environments for [teachers] and our children,” said another poster. 

Lumb said control measures being taken include expanded cleaning, staff education on food storage, filling holes where mice might enter, and active pest control. 

“The number of traps full has been coming down, so that leads me to believe that the population of rodents is going down with it,” he said.

Read the full story here.

Shawnigan Retreats offers the perfect cozy retreat for family gatherings or romantic getaways. Nestled by the serene Shawinigan Lake, the luxurious accommodations feature a sauna, hot tub, games room with ping pong, cards, and board games, and even a private pickleball court. Enjoy nearby hikes through breathtaking nature and unwind in comfort. With space for up to 18 guests, Shawnigan Retreats promises an unforgettable experience.

Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

🎉 FernFest lineup: See the musicians and activities happening at this year’s festival. June 13. 

🦅 Eagle feast: See dozens of eagles battle it out for food during hake spawning season. [Facebook photos]

🍅 Sidney Street Market opens for the season today on Beacon Ave.

🎞️ Ocean with David Attenborough: The film is being screened for Ocean Week Victoria. [Film & panel tonight at Vic Theatre]. 

Fairmont Empress Hotel workers vote 99% in favour of strike mandate
The vote, which happened April 1, was the strongest mandate in the hotel’s history. Unifor Local 4276, representing 600 front desk, banquet, housekeeping and maintenance workers, has served notice, meaning workers could be on the picket line as early as Saturday. The union says the employer has failed to address its calls for fair wages, mental-health benefits and protections for workers who rely on tips. [CP / CTV]

Fundraiser launched to replace truck set ablaze on golf course
The truck was Tony Nicholls’ main mode of transportation before it was stolen from a church parking lot and set on fire at Cedar Hill Golf Course. Along with equipment in the truck, the loss totalled $20K+. A GoFundMe has been set up to help Nicholls cover the costs of replacing the stolen items. Meanwhile, Bronston Vincent Barry, who police said stole the pickup and hit two cop cars before lighting the truck on fire, has been charged with arson, vehicle theft, dangerous operation of a vehicle, flight from police and mischief over $5K. [Times Colonist]

Stats Can wants census forms filled out and returned–stat
If you haven’t already completed your 2026 census questionnaire, you’re likely going to get a phone call or even a knock at the door to remind you that it’s mandatory. Under Canada’s Statistics Act, anyone who hasn’t filled it out can face a fine of up to $500, although that’s rare. Final warning letters will be sent out in mid-July. [CHEK]

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🦁 Africa Fest Victoria 2026: The 13th edition of the fest, featuring music, culture, food, and community, will be at Ship Point for the first time. Today-Sunday. [Info]

🐳 Ocean Career Pathways: Discover what it means to work in a marine-focused field at this career talk at GVPL’s Central Branch today. 5-6:30pm. [Info]

🌊 More Ocean Week Events happening over the next few days can be found here. 

💜 1999: The Ultimate Prince Experience: Dale Ray will lead an eight-piece band in a tribute to Prince, featuring iconic songs, bespoke costuming, and full-sensory production at the Royal Theatre tonight. 7pm. [Info]

💬 Let’s Talk Live: Afternoon Conversation and Connection: Join the conversation with new people and share stories at Caffe Fantastico (Kings) tomorrow. 4-6pm. [Info]

🪖 The Bugle Called and Forth They Went: BC Black History Awareness Society will present a performance, honouring BC soldiers of the first Black battalion in Canadian history, at the Log Cabin Museum tomorrow. 7-9pm. [Info] 

🎡 Oak Bay Tea Party: The fair is back at Willows Park, with rides, food, music, games, and more. Tomorrow through Sunday. [Info]

🎉 Vic West Fest: This annual neighbourhood festival, featuring music, dance, crafts, and food, will be at Banfield Park. Saturday. 12-6pm. [Info]

🎈 Cook Street Village Block Party: Cook will become a pedestrian-only party, with vendors, food trucks, dog races, and more. Sunday. 10am-6pm. [Info]

Wednesday’s headlines: BC Ferries to charge 5% fuel levy starting June 16; Hermann’s rebuild is moving along; UVic announces new president and vice-chancellor. [June 3]

Virtual cancer screening clinics close or scale back. [Times Colonist]

Totem TLC happening outside the Royal BC Museum. [CTV]

Father’s Day Walk/Run for Prostate Cancer is June 21.

Victoria Symphony’s Symphony in the Summer Festival returns. [July 30 to Aug. 9] 

Election jobs: Apply before June 14 to work in Victoria’s municipal elections this October. [City of Vic]

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