Good Saturday to you, Squamish!
An Environment Canada snowfall warning remains in effect through this afternoon for the Sea to Sky Highway, north of Squamish.
"A Pacific weather system approaching the south coast is giving snow to higher terrain," the warning reads.
"With near freezing temperatures in place, snow levels have dropped to between 400 to 600 metres depending on precipitation intensity. As a result, snowfall accumulation on the Sea to Sky Highway route from Brandywine to Whistler is occurring. Snow will be heaviest this morning before transitioning to light showers or wet flurries by this afternoon."
Temperatures will reach a high of 5 C and a low of 1 C overnight.
We are looking to see rain every day through New Year's Eve.
Earthquakes
Was there or wasn't there?
Did you feel it?
According to the earthquake watching site, VolcanoDiscovery, there was a possible earthquake near Squamish shortly after midnight, on Thursday, Dec. 26, at around 12.17 a.m.
"Details of the quake (if it is one) are so far unkown, until confirmed by a seismic agency, but the event was reported 'felt,'" reads the site.
We won't ask you if you felt it, because you shouldn't have, but there was also an earthquake near Squamish on Monday.
A magnitude 1.8 quake occurred 34 kilometres west-northwest of Squamish at 5:28 p.m. on Dec. 23.
"The quake had a very shallow depth of 3 km (1.9 mi) and was too small to be felt by people," reads the VolcanoDiscovery site.
Avalanche Forecast
According to avalog.co, for Dec. 28, the alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is moderate.
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:
- It's a good day to make conservative terrain choices.
- Storm slab size and sensitivity to triggering will likely increase through the day.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to a buried crust.
Avoid this trail
The District of Squamish is warning folks to avoid Lumberjack Trail after a bridge collapse near Perth Drive.
"The District is currently assessing the damage and options for bridge replacement. The public is asked to please avoid the roped off area. Those with accessibility issues should avoid the trail," reads a muni post on Facebook put up Friday night.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Sisters Islets (a close grouping of rocks located in the Strait of Georgia off the northwest end of Lasqueti Island), which hit 11.9 C, according to Environment Canada data.
It was also the hot spot in Canada.
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 6.3 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Dec. 27 was Fort Nelson, which was a chilly -20.5 C.
Today's hot spot is slated to be Sheringham Point (18.3 km past downtown Sooke ), which could reach 9.7 C.
The coldest spot in the province is slated to be Fort Nelson (again), which could see a low of -25.2 C.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Dec. 28 was at 8:10 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:20 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waning crescent phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 5.27%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise is at 6:34 a.m.; moonset is at 1:59 p.m.
Tides
The next low tide today is at 10:12 a.m. (height:3.77 metres), according to tide-forecast.com.
The next high tide will be at 2:13 p.m. (4.15 m).
The final tide of today will be a low tide at 10:04 p.m. (0.81 m).
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, water temperature in Howe Sound today is 7.8 C. Based on historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2021 and was 7.6 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2013 at 5.6 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.4 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.
Today, there's a Board Game Meetup at Arrow Wood Games, located at 38157 2 Ave., from 7 p.m. 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.
Also Dec. 28, there's Muzik Therapy w/ Dj Praiz + Civilian, at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Featuring electrifying sets by DJ Praiz and the dynamic duo Civilian, this night promises to be a musical journey you won’t forget," reads the listing.
On Jan. 3, head to Cheakamus Centre Winter Eagle Viewing Day, at 1600 Paradise Valley Rd, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
"Join us for an awe-inspiring experience at Cheakamus Centre, where nature’s majestic beauty takes flight, right before your eyes," 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 if your regular pick up for trash is New Year's Day, Jan. 1, pick up will be Jan. 4 instead.
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:
→ 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 disposal
The holidays aren't over yet, we know, but some folks may be thinking ahead to how to dispose of their real Christmas tree in Squamish.
Here's the lowdown of where to take your trees according to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District:
Squamish Landfill
Daily
9 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
Tipping fees apply
Curbside Collection
Regular collection days
•Place in organics tote.
•Cut into small pieces (diameter <3 inches and <10 inches long)
•Lid must close fully.
Scouts Tree Chipping Event by donation
Jan. 11 and 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Canadian Tire.
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
No road work is planned for today, Dec. 28, but as noted above, there's an Environment Canada snowfall warning in place for the highway.
"Snowfall accumulation on the Sea-to-Sky highway route from Brandywine to Whistler is occurring," the warning notes.
Gas prices
In Squamish, regular gas is going for 164.9 cents per litre at Squamish Valley Gas Bar, located at 9001 Valley Dr.
In Whistler, fill up for 165.9/L at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemberton, petrol is 164.9/L at AC Gas, 7432 Prospect St.
According to GasBuddy, one of the least expensive places for gas again today in B.C. is Prince George, where you can fill up for 146.9/L at the Husky, at 1148B Pacific St.
The cheapest you will pay for gas in Vancouver is 166.9/L at Petro-Canada at 710 SE Marine Dr.
