Happy New Year to you, Squamish!
According to Environment Canada, this first day of 2025 will be mainly cloudy, with clearing near noon, just in time for the Squamish Polar Bear Swim.
The wind will be light, except blowing from the north 40 km/h over southern sections early this morning.
We will see a high of 3 C, except 5 C near the water (should be great for the dippers!).
Tonight, it will be partly cloudy, with a 40 % chance of flurries before morning.
It will dip to a low of -1 C overnight, except it will be 4 C near the water. With the windchill, it will feel like -3 C inland overnight.
The rest of the week is looking like a mixed bag with a bit of sun, clouds, chance of flurries, rain and showers all in the forecast through to Sunday.
Avalanche Forecast
According to avalog.co, for Jan. 1, the alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.
Known problems include wind slabs.
What does "moderate" risk mean?
"Moderate is the second of five levels on the avalanche danger scale. Under moderate danger there is heightened avalanche conditions on specific terrain features. Features of concern should be identified and terrain and snow should be evaluated carefully," reads the Avalanche Canada definition.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
"While 2025 begins with a generally stable snowpack and excellent powder conditions, be cautious of lingering wind slabs in steep alpine terrain."
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
- If triggered, wind slab avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
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 last Friday night.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Kindakun Rocks (in Haida Gwaii), which hit 8.3 C, according to Environment Canada data.
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 5 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Dec. 31 was Fort Nelson (as usual!), which was a chilly -29.1 C.
Today's hot spots in B.C. are slated to be Cumshewa Island (on the north flank of Cumshewa Inlet in the Haida Gwaii) and Kindakun Rocks, which could reach 7.4 C.
The coldest spot in the province is slated to be Fort Nelson (no surprise there!), which could see a low of -29.6 today.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Jan. 1 is at 8:10 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:23 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its new moon phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 3.32%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise is at 9:57 a.m.; moonset is at 6:21 p.m.
Tides
High tide today is at 7:44 a.m. (height: 4.87 metres), according to tide-forecast.com.
The next low tide will be at 1:11 p.m. (3.56 m).
The final tide of today will be a high tide at 5:09 p.m. ( 4.09 m).
Seawater temp
What will the temperature of Howe Sound be when the polar bear swimmers dive in?
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 7 C.
Based on historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2019 and was 7.2 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2022 at 5.8 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.6 C in the next 10 days.
January average water temperature in Howe Sound is 6.5 C, the minimum temperature is 5.1 C, and the maximum is 7.8 C.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town.
It is the polar bear swim today, on New Year's Day. Woot!
There's also these cool outings to plan for:
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.
Also on Jan. 3, its Back to the 80s at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Come dressed in your best 80s attire—think big hair, neon colours, leg warmers, and rad accessories! With a dance floor full of 80s vibes and music that will transport you back in time," reads the listing.
"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 in bus service
The District of Squamish reminds residents that the bus schedule has changed for today.
BC Transit will be running the Sunday service hours today, Jan. 1.
For the full schedule, go to: bctransit.com/squamish/
Christmas tree disposal
Here's the lowdown of where to take your real Christmas tree now that the holidays are coming to a close, 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.
"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, Jan. 1, 2025.
Gas prices
In Squamish, regular gas is going for 164.9 cents per litre at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar at 9001 Valley Dr.
In Whistler, gas is going for 165.9/L at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
The cheapest gas in Vancouver is at the Esso 5702 Granville St., where you can fill up for 165.9/L, according to Gas Buddy.
The cheapest gas in B.C. can be found in Hatzic (on the north side of the Fraser River Valley, approximately 3.5 km east of Mission), where you can fill up for 149.8/L at the Save and Gas at 10814 Farms Rd.
