Happy Thursday, Squamish.
Today is the day the print edition of The Squamish Chief hits community boxes, retailers and doorsteps around town.
Check it out, why don't you!
Now on to the pressing question at hand: Will this weather last through the weekend?
The answer? Sort of.
Environment Canada says we can expect sunshine today; the UV Index is at 4, or moderate. (It has been a long time since we needed to give you the UV Index!)
The index ranges from 0 to 11+.
Between 3 and 7, the advice is: wear big hats and clothes that cover your skin. Put sunscreen on skin that you can't cover. Don't be fooled if it's cool or slightly cloudy. The UV still gets through, according to the federal Environment and Natural Resources.
Overnight, the sky will be clear.
We will see a high of 13 C during the day and an overnight low of 2 C, again according to Environment Canada.
Sunrise this morning was at 6:46 a.m. and sunset will be at 7:47 p.m.
Friday and Saturday, so far, we can expect sun and even warmer temperatures, hitting 17 C Friday and 18 C Saturday.
However, Sunday will see the return of a more unstable situation, with a 30% chance of showers.
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 saw a high of 8.3 C, according to Environment Canada data.
The high at Squamish Airport yesterday was 5 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on April 2 was Tetsa River (along Northern British Columbia's Alaska Hwy 97 north of Fort Nelson), which dipped to -10.8 C.
The coldest spot in Canada was Kugaaruk, Nunavut, which dipped to -31.9 C. (Yikes!)
Moon phase
The moon is in its first quarter phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 34.59%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 9.4 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 moderate, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.
"Cornice and wet loose avalanches are possible in steep terrain. Use caution on sun-exposed slopes and always practice good travel habits."
The advice for today from Avalog.co:
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Carefully evaluate big and steep terrain features before committing to them.
- Limit exposure to steep, sun exposed slopes, especially when the solar radiation is strong.
- Pay attention to cornices and give them a wide berth when travelling on or below ridges.
Highway issues to note
•Runner alert: On Highway 99, in both directions, the Vancouver Sun Run will impact traffic—including a lane closure—between W Pender St and Lions Gate Bridge for 3.3 km (West Vancouver to Vancouver), from Sunday, April 27 at 7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Expect delays due to congestion. Go to VancouverSunRun.com for additional information.
•On Highway 99 northbound, there's bridge maintenance at Brunswick Beach Rd (Lions Bay), until today at 5:30 p.m. The right lane is closed.
•On Highway 99, road sweeping (shoulder maintenance) is underway between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Alice Lake Rd for 54.0 km (West Vancouver to Squamish), until Friday, April 4. Work is underway from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
•On Highway 99, northbound, be alert for mowing at Alice Lake Rd (Squamish), until today, April 3, at 3 p.m. The right lane is blocked. Watch for traffic control.
•On Highway 99, northbound, electrical maintenance is planned between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave (Squamish), starting Monday, April 7 until Friday, May 2. The right turn lane will be closed. The shoulder will be closed.
•On Highway 99, northbound, construction work is planned between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave (Squamish), starting May 2 and lasting until May 16 at 5:30 p.m. The work will last from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day. The right turn lane will be closed. The shoulder will be closed. Work to end by 12 p.m. on Fridays.
A pedestrian detour will be available.
•On Highway 99, in both directions, utility work is planned between Lorimer Rd and Blackcomb Way for 1.3 km (Whistler), starting Monday, April 7 until Friday, April 11. The work is scheduled to last from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
•On Highway 99, in both directions, construction work is scheduled between Park St and Portage Rd for 0.5 km (Pemberton), until Saturday, Aug 30. Work will be underway from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. The right turn lane off Hwy 99 and the left turn lane onto Hwy 99 from existing access road are affected. There's construction access and heavy truck access.
•On Highway 99, there is utility work between Davis Rd and E Lillooet Rd for 0.6 km (Lillooet), until Monday, April 7. The work runs from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday. Single lane alternating traffic will be in place. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•On Highway 99, westbound, watch for utility work between Cayoosh Park rd and Ainsworth Rd 1 km south of Lillooet, until Monday, April 14. The work is set to be underway from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•On Highway 99, utility work is planned between Fountain Valley Rd and Sallus Creek Rd for 8.6 km (10 to 18 km north of Lillooet), starting today, April 3 until Thursday, April 17, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes. Please watch for signage and personnel.
•On Highway 99, utility work is planned between Bryson Pit Rd and Smith Rd for 0.1 km (37 km north of Lillooet), also starting today, April 3 and lasting until Thursday, April 17. The work will occur from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays and Saturday. Single lane alternating traffic will be in effect. Expect delays of up to 5 minutes.
See more at DriveBC.
Work to start in Valleycliffe
The District has announced that, starting April 7, FortisBC will begin preparing a temporary construction laydown yard northeast of Valleycliffe.
This is work for the Eagle Mountain-Woodfibre Gas Pipeline Project
Crews will be clearing vegetation and trees at the temporary construction laydown yard.
Clearing works will generally happen from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays.
There may be minor traffic delays on the nearby Forest Service Roads to allow large trucks.
For more information, click here.
Spit Road closure
The Squamish Training Berm will be temporarily closed now until May 31, the Squamish River Watershed Society says.
"The Central Estuary Restoration Project continues as we install a fourth large fish-friendly box culvert," a social media post from the society notes.
"This feature will replace the current undersized culvert, which will improve fish access and allow freshwater to transfer into the central estuary channel from the Squamish River."
According to a District post, "access will be closed to car traffic at the Fisherman's entrance—yellow gate—with bike and pedestrian access to remain open."
Gas prices
The removal of the carbon tax has had an impact on local gas prices.
In Squamish today, regular gas is going for 161.9 cents per litre at several local stations.
At the start of the week, gas in town was at about 178.9/L.
(The B.C. government cancelled the carbon tax by introducing legislation to drop the rate to $0, effective Tuesday, April 1.)
In Whistler, regular gas is on offer for 162.9/L, at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemberton, gas is 161.4/L at the Petro Canada, located at 1440 Portage Rd.
Some of the cheapest gas in B.C., at 129.9/L, can be found in Fort St. John, at the Centex, located at 9605 100th St.
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).
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