Storm Watching
Winter storm watching in the Tofino area of BC is soaring in popularity in recent years. Storm watching is a spectacular experience, and is at its best and most dramatic during the winter months. Storm wathing is now a very popular winter activity for visitors to Tofino and The Pacific Rim National Park.
On the wet and wild west coast, nothing is more awe inspiring than the rage of the wind, rain and thunderous waves through a winter storm. There are as many as 15 storms per month that hits the west coast during the storm season. Storm watching has become a fascinating draw for tourists to the Long Beach area of BC’s Pacific Rim National Reserve.
Starting in October, a low-pressure system establishes itself in the Gulf of Alaska, and all through the winter months, powerful wind storms slams into the open coastline. The peak months of December through February are the most intense and waves after waves battle the coast.
Experience the brute power of nature
Tofino and Ucluelet are the towns nearest the West Coast Pacific Rim National Park, where enormous storms chunched up by powerful gale generate 40 ft waves which in turn when smash into the rocky headland rocket spray 100 feet into the air. Watching these huge waves up close is awesome.
If you are adventurous, you can experience the storm first hand walking the Wild Pacific Trail near Ucluelet and enjoy the sight and sound in all its glory. Or at Long Beach in the Pacific Rim National Park you can stroll for miles along sandy beaches and experience storm watching up close. When you choose to experience the winter storms in the open, be prepare to get soaked, but the experience is well worth getting drenched.
You may want to watch the storms from the comfort of your lodge or hotel. Sit back and relax – and enjoy the sounds and sights of a thundering pacific storm while staying dry in your waterfront resorts. You can spent hours, mesmerized by 15 metre high waves hitting the coast line, spraying sheets of ocean mist.
