Some experience the raw power of the mighty Pacific Ocean as ferocious waves roll in from Japan and pound the shores of the rugged West Coast of Vancouver Island. During storm season waves can reach heights of 10-12 metres, come witness the incredible beauty and heart pounding drama of a West Coast winter storm from one of our spectacular privately owned storm-front vacation rentals. After a thrilling day watching the crashing surf from the many viewing points scattered along the coast, arrive back, start the fire and warm the jetted Jacuzzi tub and continue storm-watching right from the comfort and luxury of your vacation home. Natural Elements Vacation Rentals has a select portfolio of vacation rentals located on the west side of Ucluelet, strung closely along the Wild Pacific Trail where rugged coastline meet with pounding surf. The location is awe inspiring with open Pacific Ocean as far as the eye can see and proximity to all asset’s that are must have’s for even the most dis-concerning storm-watchers, being steps to Big Beach, open ocean, Wild Pacific Trail and oceanfront dining.

How the West Coast storms are formed?

Storms are formed by low pressure systems forming over the Gulf of Alaska. When winds run North East 30-40 knots, the low pressure system shifts southward from Alaska and reaches over our coastal waters bringing wind/rain and Gale to storm forced winds to the Pacific Rim.
The most common wave heights are 8-9 meters when Gale/storm winds occur on the coast but every so often winds reach up to 63 knots bringing near hurricane force winds, and 10-12 meter seas. At these times the coast is engulfed in pounding surf, beaches become flooded with Sea foam, wind feels as though you can lean forward and wind almost sustains your body weight, the sights and sounds are nothing short of thrilling and invigorating.

When is the best time for storm-watching?

The best time for storm-watching is November through until the end of February. During this time the extreme forces of nature are completely unpredictable, one moment there is sun and blue skies, the next rain is pouring adding to the nearly 5 meters of annual rainfall, and then a few hours later a low pressure system may bring 10-12 meter seas! The swells still continue
For 8-12 hours after the storm has passed. The very best way to predict storms is by following the local weather forecast, and waiting for the word that a low pressure system is approaching and high winds are expected along West coast Southern Vancouver Island. If you want to go a step further in your storm-watching endeavours, listen to marine forecasts, compare weather forecasts to Beaufort Wind Scale so that you can differentiate between Gale Force and Storm Force, and km per hour to knots, in order to be aware of precisely how big of swells will be bred from the report from La Perouse Bank Buoy.