Dec 10 - Mild winter predicted... but there's a downside

Good morning !

Snow hasn’t yet reached the capital region, but this weekend’s early-winter storm did deliver a few power outages and ferry cancellations.

More on that below, along with a larger look at the weather we can generally expect in the coming months (and the next year).

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 9 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 8 / 5

Day after: 🌦️ 8 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Island and BC expected to have a mild winter—and risk of another summer drought

Though the other day was cold and stormy, this winter isn’t expected to be. Experts say that November, which is typically the wettest time for the coast, ended up having a precipitation deficit.

The warming effects of El Niño are expected to take effect soon, and may last into the spring. That’s fuelling fear that, without a boost in precipitation in the coming months, another dry summer may get an early start.

More details on the winter and 2024 forecast here. 

First taste of winter as BC storm’s snow & wind bring problems 

The weather made a slight exception to that predicted mildness this weekend. December’s first big BC storm brought rain, snow in multiple regions, and severe winds on land and at sea.

There had been warnings of snowfall possibly even as far south as the Malahat, but road contractor Emcon reported on Sat. morning that Hwy 18 was snowy while the Malahat had been spared.

Winds hit 90km/h in parts of the South Island, and nearly double that in some parts of the North Island region. There were no Sunday wind warnings, however, as of last night. 

Conditions at in the Strait led to the cancellations of Saturday sailings on Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay (11am and 1pm, both directions) and Tsawwassen-Duke Point (10:15 and 12:45 both directions).

A power outage in Oak Bay—suspected to be from wires and a tree colliding—cut off nearly 1,000 BC Hydro customers. This shut down lights at some intersections and trapped one person in an elevator.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Tattersall Drive reopens after upgrades, but will undergo road work again in mid-March

Royals 0 Cougars 1: Victoria’s win streak halted at 4 by key rivals for BC division’s top spot.

Car crashes into Langford’s Loghouse Pub. Injuries minor; investigation underway. [CHEK]

FOOD

The foodie's gift guide to local holiday shopping

Whenever the holiday season rolls around, it can be difficult to brainstorm what gifts to pick up for friends and family. But if your loved one loves food and everything that comes with—drinks, cooking, hosting—there are plenty of options right here in Greater Victoria.

Whether you are shopping for a gift or just want to pick up some limited edition items for yourself, Tasting Victoria has an extensive round-up of everything from specialty foods and drinks to cookware and place settings. 

See the list here.

NEWS

View Royal and Esquimalt will renew contracts with Ellice Recycle

The homegrown commercial and residential waste management firm, which has been operating in the region for 30 years, was the incumbent and the low bidder.

Ellice Recycle’s current contract handling Esquimalt and View Royal’s yard and garden waste ends Dec. 31, and the new one begins Jan 1. The price will rise from $237K/year to just over $323/year

The CRD banned dumping yard and garden waste at the Hartland Landfill in 2006, leading in part to Esquimalt and View Royal’s partnership with Ellice.

Read the full story in The Westshore.

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Dance Victoria presents: Compagnie Hervé KOUBI

Dance Victoria is pleased to present Compagnie Hervé KOUBI who will bring “a touch of theatrical magic” (New York Times) to the Royal Theatre on February 2 and 3. After astounding Dance Victoria audiences virtually in 2020, their powerful street dancers from Algeria, Morocco, France, and Burkina Faso will bewitch the public with their visually stunning, ritualistic performances that explode with athleticism, verve, and irresistible, raw force.

Want more dance? Mini-subscriptions are now available for Dance Victoria's 2023/24 season of the World's Best Dance. Don't miss Compagnie Hervé KOUBI, Nrityagram Dance Ensemble, and Ballets Jazz Montréal. Visit the website for more details.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦌 The Christmas food crawl Is a two-hour tour of seasonal treats like candy cane bark, running Thurs-Sun. this month. [Tasting Victoria]

🦙 Elderly alpacas get their mash at the Beacon Hill Children’s Farm. [Video]

🧠 New experiences can rewire the brain, helping to break unhelpful patterns and changing old ways of being in the world. Give yourself a new experience at Intertidal Counselling & Wellness.*

👱‍♀️ Taylor Swift ticket giveaway at the Dec. 30 Victoria Royals game. [Info]

🤝 Now hiring: Manager - The Dining Room restaurant at The Butchart Gardens

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

7 Islanders sickened by cantaloupe salmonella outbreak
That’s nearly half of the 15 total confirmed in BC. Canada has now tallied 5 people dead, 44 hospitalized, and129 made ill. [Times Colonist]

Bear eats washed-up whale near Tofino
The carcass of a grey whale found on Hesquiaht territory is being investigated by Department of Fisheries and Oceans—and by a hungry bear. [CBC / photos]
Grey whales take a very long migration past the Island, and several have been found dead in Island waters in recent years.

Community rallies behind Nanaimo nurse-turned-prof
Devon Wood was diagnosed with ALS while still transitioning from the operating room to VIU, where she had started working part-time after getting an education degree. Her friends have been fundraising for her. [Nanaimo News Now]

🤝 Now Hiring

Thinking of making your next career move? Let us help!

• Digital Marketing Specialist at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Cooks at The Butchart Gardens

• Manager of Donor Relations at Victoria Conservatory of Music

• Corporate Controller - Hospitality at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

Looking for more openings? See 40+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

Hiring? Post your job to have it featured here, and fill your opening fast!

🗓️ Things to do

🎅 Brunch with Santa: Take photos with Santa, enjoy brunch, and listen to live jazz music at The Courtney Room. Today. 12-3pm.

🎙️ Great American Songbook Trio: Miss Louise Rose, Joey Smith, and Kelby MacNayr present this special concert at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 12pm, show 1pm. 

🥞 Breakfast with Santa: Enjoy a festive brunch buffet with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Callisto restaurant at the Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa. Today. 9am, 11am, and 1pm.

🎻 A Holiday Cellobration: UVic cello students, alumni, and community members come together in a festive concert. Proceeds will go to the UVic Students’ Society Food Bank. Today. 7pm.

🎺 Annual Christmas Charity Fundraiser: The Island Big Band will raise funds for the Salvation Army and The Mustard Seed Food Bank. The band will be playing Christmas songs in the big band swing style at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm.

🎶 A Celtic Christmas: The Wavelengths Community Choir sings traditional Yuletide music at the Mary Winspear,

📯 Greater Victoria Concert Band: The GVCB is at Tillicum (2-4pm) in the old jean warehouse.

👀 In Case You Missed It

More speed limit reductions for some local streets. Plus: Holiday concert season begins. Ferry’s return delayed. Film commissioner retires. [Sat. newsletter]

New chief justice of BC: Leonard Marchand, a member of the Okanagan Indian Band, is the first Indigenous chief justice of BC’s highest court. [BC Gov]

Hiker found dead after one year. Victoria calls for federal public housing support. [Fri. newsletter]

The best first date restaurants in town, based on readers’ votes. [Tasting Victoria]

That’s it!

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