Happy Sunday, Squamish!
Before we get to the weather, a heads up from the District for tomorrow regarding Brennan Park entrances.
The muni says starting on Monday, Jan. 13, access to the rec centre from the east (Arena) entrance lobby will be restricted as phase two of construction progresses.
"Temporary accessible and non-accessible washrooms will be available along the south wall outside the auditorium," the District said in a Facebook post.
"We kindly ask patrons to use the south entrance to access the auditorium until further notice. Wayfinding signage will be in place to assist you. Thank you for patience and understanding as we work to improve the space."
OK, now on to today's weather.
It will be cloudy today, with a 30% chance of wet flurries early this morning, before it clears, according to Environment Canada.
The wind will be light except blowing from the north at 30 km/h over southern sections this morning.
Tonight, it will be clear. The wind will be light, except blowing from the north 30 km/h over southern sections.
We will see a high of 3 C and a low of -4 C, which could feel like -7 C with the windchill.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Jan. 12 is at 8:06 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:36 p.m.
Moon phase
It is a full moon tonight, folks!
The moon's illumination is currently 97.7 %.
It is currently located in the constellation of Gemini, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise is at 2:59 p.m.; moonset is at 7:46 a.m.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was North Cowichan, which hit a high of 10.9 C, according to Environment Canada data.
It was also the hotspot in all of Canada.
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 4.5 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Jan. 11 was Fort Nelson which saw a high of -14.4 C.
Today's hot spot in B.C. is slated to be Cumshewa Island (in Haida Gwaii), which could reach 8.2 C.
The coldest spot in the province is predicted to be Fort Nelson, which could see a low of -14.3 today.
Tides
The next high tide is at 5:53 a.m. (height: 4.79 metres); Low tide today is at 10:40 p.m. (3.92 m), according to tide-forecast.com.
The final tide, a low tide, will be at 10:34 p.m. (0.39 m)
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the seawater temperature in Howe Sound today is 7.5 C.
Based on the site's 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 2013 at 6 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.4 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.
Avalanche Forecast
According to avalog.co, today, the alpine rating is moderate, the treeline rating is moderate, and the below treeline rating is low.
Known problems include wind slabs.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
"Stay off wind-loaded slopes and be mindful of overhead hazard, especially during periods of strong sun."
- Avoid slopes that sound hollow or drum-like.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation and sun exposure.
- 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 traveling on or below ridges.
Sea to Sky Gondola conditions
The Sea to Sky Gondola is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, with the last download at 6 p.m.
Grooming:
•Backcountry Access Road to Upper Shannon Creek bridge (3km return).
Grooming starts from lodge. Last Groomed : Jan 11
•Sky Pilot Valley Trail (5km return).
109 cm of snow at the snow groomer turnaround at 1,050 m. 6 cm new snow over the last 24 hrs.
Last Groomed : Jan 11
Swap your tote?
If you want to change the size (and thus the price) of your trash and/or organics tote, you are bumping up against some yearly deadlines with the District.
Here are the muni's deadlines for changing your tote and organics collection service:
• Jan. 31, 2025 (NEW) : Add a second organics collection container for 2025.
• Oct. 31, 2025: Change the size of your garbage tote for 2026.
• Upsize your recycling tote from medium to large (no additional cost for the larger tote, but a $50 exchange fee applies).
Find out much more on the District's website.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town. Here's a couple of events that stood out to us for this week.
Today, there's Pokemon Trade & Play at Arrow Wood Games, located at 38157 2 Ave., from 3 to 5 p.m.
"Bring your cards to trade, and/or battle it out with other Pokémon players. Don't know how to play yet? The staff there will teach you! This event is suitable for all ages," reads the listing.
Jan. 15, there's Speed Dating (30+) at Trickster's Hideout, 38005 Cleveland Ave. from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Cuffing season is here, and Trickster’s Hideout is bringing the heat with our Save The Date Speed Dating Spectacular for the 30+ crowd. Bundle up, grab your $10 ticket, and get ready for a cosy evening of laughter, connections, and maybe even love. Plus, every ticket comes with a chance to win a Trickster’s Hideout gift card—perfect for your next date night," 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."
Christmas tree disposal
"As your Christmas tree dries out, it becomes more flammable—36% of tree fires happen in January," reads a National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) post, shared by Squamish Fire Rescue.
Here's the lowdown on where to take your real Christmas tree now that the holidays are over, according to the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District:
Scouts Tree Chipping Event by donation
Today, Jan. 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Canadian Tire.
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.
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
•According to DriveBC, if you are heading north on Highway 99, continue to watch for slushy sections between Trudy's Landing and Kwetsa Rd for 29.6 km (Whistler to Pemberton).
Gas prices
In Squamish today, regular gas is going for 164.9 cents per litre at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar, located at 9001 Valley Dr.
In Whistler, you can fill up for 165.9/L at most stations.
In Pemberton, gas is going for 164.9/L at AC Gas, located at 7432 Prospect St.
The cheapest gas in Vancouver is at the Mobil at 350 SE Marine Dr, where you can fill up for 170.9/L, according to Gas Buddy.
The cheapest gas in B.C. can be found in Vernon, where you can fill up for 149.9/L at the Super Save Gas, at 3603 32nd St.
