Happy Friday!
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says a weak disturbance will move down the B.C. coast from the north, spreading a few flurries to the south coast late in the day into Saturday.
Today, we will see a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 0 C. With the wind chill, it will feel like -17 C this morning.
There's a 30% chance of flurries late this evening and after midnight. Temps will dip to a low of - 6 C, which will feel like -13 C.
Ross says an arctic ridge of high pressure will rebuild over the B.C. interior through the weekend, with another surge of colder temperatures and strong outflow winds to the coast Sunday night and into early next week.
Looking at the long-range forecast, Ross says ridging across the eastern Pacific may break down towards the end of next week (Feb.15-16), with increased precipitation possible and warmer temperatures.
Sunrise today is at 7:36 a.m., sunset is at 5:18 p.m.
Don't ski on the golf course
In a message that shouldn't have to be posted, the Squamish Valley Golf Club is asking locals not to skate/cross country ski on the course.
Obviously, doing this could damage the course.
Signage has been installed.
"Staff will ask people disobeying the signs to leave the premises. Thank you for your understanding," reads the post.
A warm place to duck out of the cold
With the current cold snap, the District is reminding locals that municipal buildings are available as warming centres.
Squamish Public Library
→ Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 10 am to 7 pm
→ Monday, Friday and Saturday: 10 am to 5 pm
→ Sunday: 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Brennan Park Recreation Centre
→ Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
→ Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The 55 Activity Centre
→ Monday and Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
→ Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
→ Saturday: Programs Only
→ Sunday: Closed
For more information on how to prepare for cold weather, go to squamish.ca/extreme-cold.
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
•On Highway 99, watch for slippery sections between Lil'wat Pl and the end of Highway 99 for 121.0 km (Lillooet). There's compact snow.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waxing gibbous phase.
"🌔 Waxing Gibbous: The waxing gibbous phase is between a half moon and full moon. Waxing means it is getting bigger," according to NASA Space Place.
Gibbous means “humped-back."
"Therefore, this phase is called Waxing Gibbous because the surface area of the Moon that you see is increasing and the shape of the lit-up part of the Moon looks like a hump-back," according to the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center.
The moon's illumination is currently 74.43%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Solander Island (off the northwest coast of Vancouver Island), which saw a high of 6 C, according to Environment Canada data.
(The high at Squamish Airport yesterday was -0.4 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Feb. 6 was Clinton, which dipped to -34.7 C.
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 6.3 C.
February average water temperature in Howe Sound is 6.6 C, the minimum temperature is 5.4 C, and the maximum is 8.3 C.
Avalanche forecast
According to avalog.co, today, the alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low.
Problems include wind slabs.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
"Seek out wind-sheltered terrain where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding."
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Start with conservative terrain and watch for signs of instability.
- Avoid areas where the snow feels stiff and/or slabby.
- Seek out sheltered terrain where new snow hasn't been affected by wind.
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).
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town. Here's a few upcoming events that stood out to us.
Tonight, there's Locals Night w/ Toonie Hour All Night Long, at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"With every drink you purchase, you’ll receive a free toonie – your ticket to dive into the action with any of our games. Challenge your friends, show off your skills, or try something new," reads the listing.
Feb. 8, check out Board Game Meetup at Arrow Wood Games, 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.
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."
No parking
• 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.
Gas prices
In Squamish today, regular gas is going for 175.9 cents per litre at Petro-Canada, at 41409 Government Rd.
Gas in Whistler is 175.9/l at the Co-op, located at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemberton, you can fill up for 173.9/L at most stations.
The cheapest gas in B.C. can again be found in Osoyoos, where you can fill up for 153.9/L at the Co-op, at 9101 Main St.
