Four O's, and Canada's only hot desert: Osoyoos, British Columbia

[MolsonExport]

During the 1990's I lived in BC for 5 years (1 of which in the Okanagan Valley), and since then I visit quite often. My father lives in Osoyoos (British Columbia), a town situated about 1 km north of the US border (Washington state). It lies in what is considered the uppermost extension of the Sonora desert, and therefore is Canada's only "hot" desert (semi-desert, to be taxonomically correct).

here is some background info in advance of the photos, c/o Wikipedia.

Osoyoos (officially pronounced /ɒˈsuːjuːs/ os-SOO-yoos;[1][2] commonly mispronounced /əˈsɔɪjuːs/ ə-SOY-yoos) is a town in the southern part of the Okanagan Valley near British Columbia's border with Washington state, and neighbouring the reserve of the Osoyoos Indian Band. Because of its popularity as a recreational area with residents from elsewhere in British Columbia and especially Alberta, its population of nearly 5,000 people swells in the summer months. There is also a rapidly growing year-round retiree population.

Though the climate is arid, irrigation enhances the region's agricultural production. During the summer months, the Okanagan Valley is among the hottest areas in Canada, and Osoyoos often reaches the highest daytime temperature of any location in Canada.[citation needed] Temperatures regularly exceed 38°C (100°F) in the summer, although the humidity is low and nights are generally pleasant. Winters are generally dry and cold, but are usually mild compared to adjacent regions.

Osoyoos is situated on the east-west Crowsnest Highway with a significant ascent out of the Okanagan Valley in either direction. The Crowsnest headed east begins with an 18km switchback up the flank of the Okanagan Highland with a 685 m rise to the mining and ranching region of Anarchist Mountain, which is part of the Boundary Country (the stretch of rising highway is also referred to as Anarchist Mountain). Highway 3 westbound leads to Keremeos and the Similkameen Valley via Richter Pass. On highway 97 south there is a 24 hour border crossing between Canada and the United States between Osoyoos and Oroville, Washington.

The origin of the name Osoyoos was the word suius meaning "narrowing of the waters" in the local Okanagan language (Syilx'tsn). The "O-" prefix is not indigenous in origin and was attached by settler-promoters wanting to harmonize the name with other O-names in the Okanagan region (Oliver, Omak, Oroville, and of course Okanagan).

Osoyoos Lake

Osoyoos Lake is often considered Canada's warmest lake, with average summer water temperatures of 24°C (75°F). The lake is surrounded by several beaches and picnic grounds, such as Gyro Beach, Lions Centennial Park, Kinsmens Park, Legion Beach and Hayne's Point Picnic Ground. The lake has a perimeter of 47.9 km, an elevation of 276 m, a maximum depth of 63 m and a mean depth of 14 m.

Climate

The climate, according to the Köppen climate classification, is semi-arid (BSh) with summers that are generally hot and very dry. The result is one of the longest growing seasons in Canada. Normally, daily temperatures in July and August average above 30°C (86°F), with overnight lows of around 16°C (60°F). September and October are usually warm and pleasant. Winters are short but can be somewhat cold with average lows about -5°C (24°F) in January. Spring arrives early.

* Hottest Daily Temperature: 42.8°C (110°F) on July 27, 1998
* Hottest Mean Maximum Temperature: 34.1°C (93°F) in July, 1994
* Warmest Month: 25.4°C (78°F) in July, 1998
* Days above 30°C (86°F) in 1994: 78
* Days above 20°C (68°F) in 1994: 174



Photos taken in April 2009, all mine.