Happy Thursday, Squamish!
Environment Canada says we can expect a mix of sun and cloud today. The wind will be light, except blowing north 40 km/h over southern sections this morning.
We will see a high of 6 C and an overnight low of 2 C.
Tonight, expect increasing clouds and rain beginning after midnight.
After rain on Friday, the weekend is looking sunny, so far!
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on Jan. 9 is at 8:08 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:32 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waxing gibbous phase.
What does that mean?
"The waxing gibbous is the fourth phase in the cycle of phases. This moon phase occurs once a month, rising around 3 p.m., and setting around 3 a.m., sticking around for approximately 7.38 days before going into the full moon phase. The term waxing means increasing, and the term 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," reads the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center site. (An interesting site for all things related to space!)
The moon's illumination is currently 77.82 %.
It is currently located in the constellation of Taurus, according to phasesmoon.com.
Moonrise is at 12:28 p.m.; moonset is at 4:02 a.m.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Kindakun Rocks (Haida Gwaii north), which hit a high of 11.5 C, according to Environment Canada data.
It was also the hotspot in all of Canada!
(The high in Squamish yesterday was 6.2 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Jan. 8 was Fort Nelson, which was -15.0 C.
Today's hot spot in B.C. is again slated to be Kindakun Rocks, which could reach12.6 C.
The coldest spots in the province are slated to be Clinton and Golden, which could see a low of -11.8 C today.
Tides
Low tide is at 6:37 a.m. (height: 3.7 metres); High tide today is at 12:10 p.m. (4.73 m), according to tide-forecast.com.
The next low tide will be at 8:10 p.m. (0.87m).
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the seawater temperature in Howe Sound today is 6.8 C.
Based on the site's historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day on Howe Sound was recorded in 2024 and was 7.3 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2016 at 6 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.5 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 low, the treeline rating is low, and the below treeline rating is low.
Known problems include wind slabs.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
"Small wind slabs may still be triggerable in extreme terrain. Investigate how old slabs are bonded in your area before committing to large terrain features."
- Be careful with wind-loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and rollovers.
- Avalanche activity is unlikely when a thick melt-freeze crust is present on the snow surface.
- The snowpack is generally stable; it may be appropriate to step out into more complex terrain.
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.
New snow in last 24hrs: 0 cm.
Snow base at the Summit lodge: 45 cm.
Winds: Calm.
Visibility: Low cloud ceiling. Obscure views to mountains and ocean.
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.
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.
On Jan. 10, there's Monster Energy Presents: SkiiTour at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
"Join us for an unforgettable night as the iconic electronic duo SkiiTour brings their high-energy Après Tour to Trickster’s Hideout! Known for their unique fusion of house music, funky grooves, and an unbeatable party vibe, SkiiTour has rocked stages worldwide, from Shambhala to Snowbombing. Dressed in retro ski gear, their performances are as visually engaging as they are musically explosive. Don’t miss their epic beats and signature snow-filled party atmosphere," reads the listing.
On Jan. 11, there's Board Game Meetup at Arrow Wood Games, located 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."
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:
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
Today, on Highway 99, northbound, watch for maintenance work being done between Ocean Point Dr and Kelvin Grove Way for 0.1 km (1 km south of Lions Bay). The work starts Jan. 9 at 7:30 a.m. and goes until 5:30 p.m. The right lane will be closed.
Gas prices
In Squamish today, 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.
In Pemberton, AC Gas, located at 7432 Prospect St, has the cheapest gas in town at 164.9/L.
The cheapest gas in Vancouver is at the Super Save Gas at1317 E 12th Ave, where you can fill up for 169.9/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.
