Good Monday to you, Squamish!
It is two days to Christmas, for those who partake.
Here's a festive joke for you, kid-approved, from National Geographic Kids:
What do you get if you cross a snowman and a vampire?
Frostbite!
You are welcome.
Now on to the weather.
According to Environment Canada, it will be cloudy with a 70% chance of showers today.
We will see a high of 7 C and an overnight low of 3 C.
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says recent "active" weather will continue with a series of frontal systems moving through the B.C. south coast and Vancouver Island over the next week, bringing periods of rain, alpine snow, and gusty winds.
A powerful frontal system arrives Christmas Day with moderate to heavy precipitation and gusty winds.
Freezing level will remain between 1,000 to 1,500 metres today, rising to 2,500 metres this evening, lowering to near 1,000 metres on Tuesday morning, Ross said.
Here’s a concise summary of the next few days, from Ross:
Active Weather: A series of frontal systems bringing rain, alpine snow, and gusty winds over the next week.
Christmas Day: A powerful system with moderate to heavy precipitation and gusty winds, snow level near 600 metres.
Freezing Levels:
Between 1,000 m and 1,500 m today
Rising to 2,500 m this evening
Dropping to around 1,000m on Tuesday morning.
"Stay prepared and safe during these weather changes," said Ross.
Avalanche Forecast
According to avalog.co, for Dec. 23, the alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low.
Known problems include storm slabs.
What does "considerable" risk mean?
"Considerable is the third of five levels on the avalanche danger scale. Under considerable danger, natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered ones are likely. Avalanche conditions are considered dangerous and careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making is essential," reads the Avalanche Canada definition.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
• Stick to mellow objectives despite the short clearance between storms.
• Storm slabs will be larger and easier to trigger where the wind has made reactive deposits.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spots in all of B.C. were Saturna Island and Point Atkinson. Both hit 11.6 C, according to Environment Canada data.
They were the hot spots in all of Canada!
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 6.3 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Dec. 22 was Fort Nelson, which was a chilly -20.6 C. (!!)
Today's hot spot is slated to be Sisters Islets (a close grouping of rocks located in the Strait of Georgia off the northwest end of Lasqueti Island), which could reach 11.5 C.
It is also slated to be the hot spot in all of Canada!
The coldest spot in the province is slated to be Fort Nelson (again), which could see a low of -192 C.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Dec. 23 is at 8:09 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:16 p.m. (Nice to be getting a little more daylight now!)
Moon phase
The moon is in its last quarter phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 43.69%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise is at 12:41 a.m.; moonset is at 12:17 p.m.
Tides
The next high tide today is at 11:42 a.m. (height: 4.54 metres), according to tide-forecast.com.
The next low tide will be at 7:01 p.m. (2.35 m); the final high tide will be at 11:05 p.m. (3.3 m).
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 8.2 C.
Based on historical data over a period of ten years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2018 and was 8 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2022 at 6 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.5 C in the next 10 days.
December's average water temperature in Howe Sound is 7.2 C, the minimum temperature is 5.1 C, and the maximum is 8.9 C.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town.
Dec. 24, at Brennan Park Recreation Centre arena, there will be Red & Green Public Skate.
"Show off your best red and green holiday outfit at our Red & Green Public Skate on Tuesday, December 24 from 12:30 pm to 3 pm. Celebrate the season while skating and socializing with friends," reads the District listing.
Here's what else caught our eye:
Dec. 25, it is the 2nd Annual FREE Holiday Cereal Breakfast event at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 9 to 5 p.m.
"We’re excited to bring the community together for a day of fun, relaxation, and holiday spirit. Enjoy a free cereal breakfast and holiday-themed movies playing all day long. Whether you’re with family, friends, or on your own, this event is open to everyone—come celebrate the season in a cozy, welcoming space," reads the listing.
Dec. 28, there's a Board Game Meetup at Arrow Wood Games, located at 38157 2 Ave., from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
"Join Arrow Wood Games for an evening of fun, games and social connections. 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.
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."
Curb-side tote collection change
The District of Squamish notes that local residents who receive regular collection days on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (recycling and organics) and New Year's Day, Jan. 1 (garbage) will receive rescheduled pickup on Saturday, Dec. 28 (recycling and organics) and Saturday, Jan. 4 (garbage).
Change is bus service
The District of Squamish reminds residents that the bus schedule will change over the holiday season.
BC Transit will be running the following modified hours over the holiday period:
→ Dec. 25 & 26: Sunday Service.
→ Dec.31: There will be extended weekday service on New Year’s Eve. The buses will be free after 8 p.m.
→ Jan. 1: Sunday Service.
For the full schedule, go to: bctransit.com/squamish/
Christmas tree safety
If you put up a real Christmas tree, the BC Office of the Fire Commissioner and Squamish Fire Rescue offer the following tips to ensure you trim the tree safely this holiday season:
•Ensure it is one metre from any sources of heat.
•Check all light strings for signs of wear or damage, and always turn lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.
•Never use lit candles on a tree.
•Water it daily to ensure it does not dry out.
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.
Driving issues to note:
• Parking on select streets in Squamish is now restricted to one side only until March 1, 2025.
"This ensures snow plows and emergency vehicles can safely navigate during winter conditions," says the District.
"Vehicles parking on the No Parking side of the street may be ticketed and towed at any time to ensure community safety. The fine for impeding snow removal is $250."
Affected streets:
- Hemlock Avenue - Cedar Drive to Spruce Drive
- Chestnut Avenue - Cedar Drive to Spruce Drive
- Fir Street - Pine Drive to Spruce Dr.
- Third Avenue - Pemberton Avenue to Winnipeg Street (No parking on East side); Pemberton Avenue to Vancouver Street (No parking on West side)
- Fourth Avenue - Winnipeg Street to Main Street (No parking on West side)
- Fifth Avenue - Winnipeg Street to Main Street. (No parking on West side)
- Sixth Avenue - Entire street. (No parking on West side)
- Eaglewind Boulevard - No perimeter parking near the roundabout at the end of Pemberton Avenue
- Edgewater Drive - Government Road to Edgewater Crescent (No parking on East side)
- Edgewater Crescent - Entire street. (No parking on the outside perimeter of the Crescent)
- No Name Road - Entire street. (No parking on East side)
- Brothers Place - Entire street. (No parking on South side)
- Britannia Avenue - Magee Street to Buckley Avenue. (No parking on East side)
- Harris Road - Government Road to cul-de-sac (No parking on South side)
- Hope Road - Depot Road to Axen Road (No parking on East side)
- Diamond Road- Tantalus Road to Garibaldi Way. No parking on North side.
- Diamond Head Road - Garibaldi Way to Mamquam Road- No parking on West side.
- Glacier View Drive - Entire street. No parking on the outside perimeter.
To find out more, go to: squamish.ca/winter-parking.
Issues to note on the highway
—According to DriveBC, starting today, on Highway 99, in both directions, maintenance work is planned between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Alpha Lake Rd for 94.3 km (West Vancouver to Whistler). Work starts on Dec. 23 and goes until until Tuesday, Dec. 24, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
—Also starting Monday, on Highway 99 northbound, maintenance work is planned between Ocean Point Dr and Kelvin Grove Way (1 km south of Lions Bay). Starting at 7:30 a.m. and lasting until Monday, Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m. Note that the right lane will be closed.
Gas prices
In Squamish, regular gas is going for 165.9 cents per litre at most Squamish stations.
In Whistler, fill up for 169.9/L at the Chevron, located at 8110 Crazy Canuck Dr.
In Pemberton, you can fill up for 165.9/L at the Husky, located at 1441 Vine Rd.
According to GasBuddy, one of the least expensive places for gas today in B.C. is Kimberley (long Highway 95A between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains), where you can fill up for 144.9/L at the Centex, at 521 Wallinger Ave.
The cheapest you will pay for gas in Vancouver is 166.9/L at the Petro-Canada at 710 SE Marine Dr.
