Crescent Rock Hot Spot

Tuesday October 14, 2025

The hot spot in Canada really depends on what criteria is being used.   The town of Lytton often holds down the daily hot spot during the summer.  It also holds the dubious distinction of having the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada, reaching a scorching 49.6°C (121.3°F) in 2021 before most of the town was incinerated by a fast moving wildfire.  The B.C. interior cities of Osoyoos, Penticton, Kamloops and Kelowna are all known to be hot spots as well, with any of them capable of topping the daily record.  Back in Ontario, the towns of Windsor and St.Catherines also experience warm summer weather that can be stifling.  Victoria may not be the hottest but it has the mildest climate in Canada with little frost or snow and it is the only city with a true Mediterranean climate.  It also holds the Canadian record of going 718 days without freezing from Dec. 23 1998 to Dec. 10, 2000.  

So summer is now over here with the equinox three weeks ago welcoming in fall.  Not many people are thinking of suntanning or going swimming at the beach with lower temperatures and windchill.  The shorts and sandals have been put away with winter jackets and boots starting to make an appearance.  Yet on sunny days this October, it is still beach weather down at Crescent Rock.  This rugged and secluded shoreline boosts some of the hottest temperatures in Canada this time of year and it is certainly much warmer than White Rock or Crescent Beach.  Its microclimate is unique in that the western facing side gets reflected sunshine off the water, is sheltered from winds by the Ocean Park bluff, plus the rocks and boulders act as a heat sink to absorb the sun's rays.  All of this combines to help keep it warm and toasty on sunny days.  

Last Sunday, October 5th, was an absolute scorcher of a day at Crescent Rock with the temperature in the shade most of the day hovering around 30 C and peaking at 31 C.  This was a day when the forecast high for White Rock was only 17C.  The following Monday was only slightly cooler with most of the afternoon sitting at a sweltering 28 C and peaking at 29 C.  At that time towns in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes were in the middle of a record breaking heat wave but were still not as high as what was recorded at Crescent Rock.  For Thanksgiving, Oct. 13, it was the same scenario with blue skies and plenty of sunshine.  While the forecast for White Rock was for 14 C, the in-the-shade temperature recorded along the shoreline of Crescent Rock was at 25 C for most of the afternoon.  The temperature was kept somewhat at bay when the wind switched from SE to NW bringing in a cooling breeze off the water.

For the naturists and nudists who frequent Crescent Rock, they are very aware to expect temperatures at this beach to often be much warmer than forecast.  It was so hot last weekend that many people went swimming to help cool off, and I will say that the water is no longer warm like in the summer.  The beach was literally packed with sunbathers trying to squeeze in the last few days of beach weather.  On Thanksgiving Monday, the crowd had thinned considerably due to family commitments and people going away for the long weekend but there were still folks down at the beach.  I must admit that I did not see anyone brave enough to go swimming with the cold wind blowing.  With sunny and warm weather forecast for the next few days, Crescent Rock beach will continue to earn its reputation as being one of the warmest beaches in Canada, if not the unofficial hot spot in the country.

When the weather really does take a turn for the worse, naturists have another trick up their sleeves to help prolong the sunbathing season.  First seen at Wreck Beach in Vancouver, people there use reflective silviculture tarps from forestry replanting operations to help increase the temperature on cool but sunny days.  These reflect the sun, doubling the power of the rays and greatly increasing the heat on a localized level.  The issue with them is to limit any wind chill that will blow away the accumulated warm air.  Beach umbrellas, tarps, tent flys or even reflective emergency tarps can be used for this purpose.  Silvacool tarps as they are called are also effective during the winter on protected patios to create spring like conditions at the time of year when getting a dose of vitamin D usually requires getting on a jet airplane.  They can be purchased at Deakin Industries in Vancouver or the Arborist Store in Poco for around $40.  

For those living in the Lower Mainland who want to hit the beach in what is called the shoulder seasons, Crescent Rock beach is the place to go, especially if you are looking to get rid of pesky tan lines.  It is always a good idea to bring a thermometer along to take in the shade readings that can be compared with the forecast and current temperatures in White Rock and Surrey.  I can assure you that the temperatures that were taken the past two weekends were accurate as the thermometer used gives the same readings as many other ones in our house.  For those that think the thermometer must have been left in the sun, we did try that just for fun and it topped out at 40 C which felt about right.  As far as the water goes, it has been my observation that whatever the nighttime air temperature is (when the tide is out), the water will measure the same.  Right about now that probably means swimming in 5 degree water so enjoy your skinny-dip.

Naturally yours,

Don Pitcairn

I wish to acknowledge we live work and play on the traditional lands of the Semiahmoo People