Happy Saturday, Squamish!
According to Environment Canada, it is going to be a rainy day today.
Tonight, for the BIA's Holiday Festival, featuring the Holiday Parade, Santa's Grotto, and Holiday Market, it looks like it will rain through to about 6 p.m., then it will be cloudy, with a 60% possibility of showers.
That is OK! Locals don't melt. We got this. (Watch for the Squamish Chief's 'float.')
We will see a high of 3 C today and a dip down to 1 C overnight.
The sun will be out Sunday through Tuesday, but the nights will be chilly, dipping to a low of -2 C.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was at Race Rocks Lightstation (on a small barren island in the Juan de Fuca Strait ), which hit 9.6 C, according to Environment Canada data.
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 2.7 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Nov. 29 was Dease Lake, ( 230 km south of the Yukon border ) which dropped to -30.5 C. (Brrrr!)
Today's hot spot is set to be Sartine Island, (off the northern tip of Vancouver Island—33km west by north west of Cape Scott on the Cook Bank, between Beresford and Triangle Islands, in the Scott Islands) which could reach: 8.9 C.
The coldest spot in the province is slated to be Dease Lake, which is set to dip to -35.7 C.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Nov. 30 was at 7:48 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:15 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its new moon phase.
"The reason this phase is called the new moon is that it is the first phase in the lunar cycle, and marks a 'new' cycle of phases. The alignment of the Earth, moon, and sun leaves the side of the moon facing Earth in total darkness to our view, as the moon does not produce its own light. This phase also has one of the strongest effects on the Earth’s tides because of the sun and the moon’s gravitational pull. This causes the tides to be at their highest high points and their lowest low points. This is also known as spring tide when the oceans have the highest 'swell,'" reads the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center site.
The moon's illumination is currently 0.34%.
The moon is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise was at 7:39 a.m.; moonset is at 3:27 p.m.
Tides
The next low tide today is at 11:13 a.m. (height: 3.52 metres), according to tide-forecast.com.
The next high tide will be at 3:33 p.m. (4.11 m); the final low tide will be at 11:04 p.m. (0.72 m).
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 7.9 C.
Based on historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2016 and was 8.9 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2011 at 7.3 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 7.2 C in the next 10 days.
November average water temperature in Howe Sound is 8.8 C, the minimum temperature is 7.3 C, and the maximum is 11.2 C.
Winter tires
Don't forget, since Oct. 1, winter tires or chains are required on the Sea to Sky Highway. It is the law.
"On B.C. roads and highways where winter tires are required, passenger vehicles and light trucks need to use tires that have the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or 'M+S' on the sidewall. This applies to two-wheel, all-wheel, and four-wheel drive vehicles. The tires need to be in good condition and have a tread depth of at least 3.5 mm (5/32”)," reads the 4 Road Safety at Work site.
"Designated winter tires are your best option for staying safe in winter conditions. We recommend using a set of four matched winter tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol."
The tires must stay on through to March 31. Not having proper winter tires or chains can earn drivers a fine of $121.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town. In addition to the Holiday Parade on Saturday, here's what caught our eye.
On now to Dec.14: Check out Squamish at Dusk at 38550 Loggers Lane from 4:30 to 9:30 p.m.
"Enjoy magical evenings of illumination at Squamish at Dusk which brightens Rose Park for three weekends from Nov. 28. Experience immersive environments, light art, and interactive light installations," reads the listing.
Tonight, there's a Board Game Meet-up at Arrow Wood Games, located at 38157 2 Ave., from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
"The event host will carefully select the perfect games for the group while fostering a fun and positive environment. No prior game knowledge or experience is necessary," reads the listing.
Also Nov. 30, catch Bobcaygeon at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Join us for a night of iconic Canadian rock as Bobcaygeon, a talented Tragically Hip cover band, brings the music of one of Canada’s greatest bands to life. From beloved classics like 'Ahead By a Century' to 'New Orleans Is Sinking' and, of course, 'Bobcaygeon,' this tribute show will take you on a nostalgic journey through the Hip’s legendary catalogue," reads the listing.
Dec. 1, there's Pokemon Trade & Play at Arrow Wood Games, from 3 to 5 p.m.
"Ages 6+ can be dropped off. Drop-ins welcome! Every Sunday, join Arrow Wood Games for a fun-filled 2-hour Pokémon Trade & Play event. Bring your cards to trade or challenge fellow players in exciting battles," reads the listing.
There are many more events coming up; go to our online events calendar to see them all! Want a possible shout-out in our daily report? Load your event into our free calendar by clicking "Create an event."
Driving issues to note
For the parade on Nov. 30: The District notes that the Downtown Squamish Holiday Parade will mean road closures.
→ From 2:30 pm to 6:30 pm, Cleveland Avenue will be closed for the parade between Pemberton Avenue and Vancouver Street. The small block of Pemberton Avenue between Cleveland Avenue and Loggers Lane will also be closed during this time.
→ From 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm, most of Cleveland Avenue will re-open, but the block between Victoria Street and Main Street will remain closed for extended festivities.
Transit bus stop closures:
→ The bus stop on Cleveland Avenue at Victoria Street (Junction Park) will be closed from 2 pm to 9 pm.
→ The bus stop on Cleveland Avenue at Winnipeg Street will be closed from 2 pm to 7 pm.
→ Transit riders are encouraged to use stops in front of the Squamish Public Library and on Cleveland Avenue at Pemberton Avenue instead.
An accessible drop-off zone will be available on Second Avenue outside Stan Clarke Park.
A traffic management plan will ensure access for emergency vehicles, the District says.
Highway 99 issues
•Starting on Monday, on Highway 99, southbound, construction work is planned between Ansell Pl and Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction (West Vancouver), according to DriveBC. The right lane will be closed. The work will begin at 7:30 a.m. on Dec. 2 and last until 5:30 p.m.
•On Tuesday, Dec. 3, on Highway 99 northbound, there will be ditching between Brunswick Beach Rd and Porteau Cove Rd for 0.7 km (4 km north of Lions Bay). The work will begin at 7:30 a.m. and last until 5:30 p.m. The right lane will be closed.
•On Wednesday, on Highway 99, in both directions, maintenance work is planned between Garibaldi Hwy and Ocean Point Dr (2 km north of West Vancouver). The work will begin at 7:30 Dec. 4 and end at 5:30 p.m. that day.
Gas prices
In Squamish, regular gas is going for 167.9 cents per litre at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar, located at 9001 Valley Dr.
According to GasBuddy, one of the least expensive places for gas today in B.C. is Kimberley, where you can fill up for 144.9/L at the CENTEX, located at 521 Wallinger Ave.
In the Lower Mainland, the cheapest you will pay is in Vancouver, where you can fill up for 168.9/L at the Chevron, at 8320 Oak St.
