Good Friday to you!
Local meteorologist Jason Ross says a ridge of high pressure will weaken and shift east today, allowing a weak frontal system to move southeast across the area this evening into early Saturday morning.
This will usher in a cooler air mass with a chance of showers, or flurries at higher elevations, and strong ridgetop winds.
An upper trough is expected to develop across the south coast from Sunday into Monday, bringing unsettled conditions and the possibility of showers or flurries.
A weak ridge of high pressure will build towards the midweek of next week, resulting in drier conditions and warmer temperatures.
Freezing levels:
Friday: 3,300 metres, lowering to 1,500 m this evening.
Saturday: 1,500 m rising to near 1,800 m.
Sunday: 1,000 m Sunday morning rising to near 1,500 m
Precipitation:
Friday: Nil
Saturday: Trace to 1 mm
Sunday: 2 to 4 mm
We will see a high of 18 C on Friday and a low of 8 C overnight.
Sunrise was at 6:14 a.m.; sunset will be at 8:10 p.m.
The UV index is set to rise to 6, or high today.
It has been a long while since we have had to think about the UV index.
As a refresher, the higher the UV index number, the stronger the sun's rays, and the greater the need to take sun safety precautions.
In Canada, the UV index ranges from 0 to 11+.
Environment Canada warns that when the UV index is 3 or higher, you should protect your skin as much as possible.
- Did you know: Window glass does not provide full UV protection. It filters out UV-B but not UV-A. You can still get a sunburn. It just takes longer. (From Environment Canada.)
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Pemberton, which saw a high of 22.9 C, according to Environment Canada data.
It was also the hot spot in all of Canada.
The high at Squamish Airport yesterday was 20.2 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on April 17 was Puntzi Mountain, near Williams Lake, which dipped to -9.7 C.
The coldest spot in Canada yesterday was again Alert, NU, which dipped to -29.7 C.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waning gibbous phase.
"The term waning means decreasing, and the term gibbous means 'humped-back.' Therefore, this phase is called waning gibbous because the surface area of the moon that you see is decreasing and the shape of the lit-up part of the moon looks like a hump-back," reads the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center site.
The moon's illumination is currently 73.42%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun.
It is currently located in the constellation of Scorpio, according to phasesmoon.com.
The moon will rise at 1:52 a.m. and it will set at 8:49 a.m.
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 10.6 C.
April average water temperature in Howe Sound is 9.7 C, the minimum temperature is 7.3 C, and the maximum is 13.8 C, according to the site.
Backcountry avalanche forecast
Today, according to avalog.co, the alpine avalanche rating for our region is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low.
"High temperatures will weaken the snowpack, especially if there is no overnight refreeze. Avoid overhead exposure to cornices, and steep south-facing slopes in the heat of the day."
The advice for today from Avalog.co:
- Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
- Avoid travelling on slopes below cornices.
- Back off slopes as the surface becomes moist or wet with rising temperatures.
- Triggering deep layers is more likely if the snow surface didn't freeze overnight.
Allergens
According to Aerobiology Research Laboratories data, this is the pollen count today in our region:
Pollen: High
Spores: Low
(Spores are produced by produced by non-seed plants, fungi.)
Today's Top allergens
Birch (High)
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (High)
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Other stuff you should know
Trail work to note
The municipality says its Mount Garibaldi Cemetery expansion is underway with forest and vegetation clearing now complete.
"Consultants are actively completing design milestones in preparation for construction, which is expected to take place from July to December 2025," the muni said in an update in its recent newsletter.
The nearby trail to the east, which has been affected by the land clearing for the expansion, has resulted in SORCA being retained to complete a 100-metre re-route.
This work will begin on April 22 with help from students at Don Ross Secondary. The District said it expects the re-route to be open by the end of May 2025
Landfill closure
The District notes that the landfill will be closed on April 29 for scale re-calibration.
"This routine maintenance ensures the weigh scale provides accurate readings and meets regulatory standards," reads an email alert from the District of Squamish.
Got old batteries?
If you have a baggy of dead batteries lying around, it is their time to depart.
The District is reminding residents that curbside battery collection is on the wee of April 21 to 25.
"Take advantage of this pilot program to recycle your batteries responsibly and help keep harmful chemicals out of the landfill," the muni says in a social media post.
To prepare your batteries for collection, follow these simple steps:
→ Place acceptable batteries into clear, sealable plastic bags.
→ On your regular collection day, place the sealed battery bags on top of your recycling tote.
Battery collection will take place on your regular garbage and organics collection day that week. Be sure to leave your batteries curbside, place on top of your recycling tote. To learn more, please visit squamish.ca/battery-recycling.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The District reminds locals that Squamish DOX Recycling, located at 40446 Government Road, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The recycle hub accepts a variety of recyclable materials, including: glass, flexible plastics, foam packaging, paper and cardboard, containers (plastic, metal, and paper).
Live view of the Stawamus Chief ⬇️.
