Happy Independence Day to our U.S. readers!
We have paired this weather update with photos from Squamish's July 1, Canada Day event, Sk̲wx̲wú7mesh Squamish Together.
It was a day of entertainment, games, food, shopping and community, put on by the Downtown Squamish BIA.
It was a nice sunny day, on Monday and today we are in for more of the same, only hotter.
According to Environment Canada, July 4 will be sunny. We will see a high of 27 C; the humidex will hit 30.
The humidex provides a number that describes how hot people feel. In the range of 20 to 29, people may feel a "little discomfort" in the heat.
Between 30 and 39, people will feel "some discomfort."
The UV index will reach 8, or very high.
In Canada, the index ranges from 1 to 11; the higher the number, the stronger the sun’s UV rays.
When the index is high, like it is forecast for today, that means you need to protect your skin and eyes, and be alert to signs of heat illness.
Tonight will be clear, with a low down to 12 C.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on July 4 was at 5:12 a.m. Sunset will be at 9:22 p.m.
Moon phase
There is a new moon today; this is when the sun and the moon are aligned. The sun and Earth are on opposite sides of the moon.
The moon's illumination is currently 2.19%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
The moon is currently located in the constellation of Taurus.
It is 381,696.95 kilometres from Earth.
Moonrise was at 3:22 a.m., moonset will be at 9:10 p.m.
"Both moonrise and moonset are defined as the moments when the upper edge of the moon's disk touches the horizon," reads the explanation on www.timeanddate.com.
The next full moon will be on July 20, at 9:27 p.m.
Tides
The next low tide today is at 11:08 a.m. (0.36 metres); high tide is at 7:10 p.m. (4.7 m), according to the site tides.today.
The final low tide is at 11:51 p.m. (3.75 m).
Seawater temps
The water temperature in Howe Sound on July 4 is 18 C, according to this Government of Canada site.
The July average water temperature in Squamish is 18.4 C, the minimum temperature is 15 C, and the maximum is 22.4 C according to seatemperature.info.
Good fishing day?
According to Fishingreminder, July 4 is set to be an excellent fishing day in Squamish.
The best, or major, bite times today are between 11:16 a.m. to 1:16 p.m. and then from 10: 47 p.m. to 12:47 a.m.
Events to note
Here are some local upcoming events you might want to attend.
• On July 5, The Free Label is at the Sea to Sky Gondola as part of the gondola's Mountain Music Series, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• On July 6, you can attend the Jocelyn Pettit: Sea to Sky Fiddle & Cello Retreat at Squamish Academy of Music from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"Jocelyn Pettit is a vibrant fiddle player, stepdancer and singer of Scottish, Irish, French, and Malaysian heritage. With uplifting energy and engaging stage presence, Jocelyn integrates the Celtic and folk traditions of her roots into her performances and original compositions," reads the listing.
• Pettit and Ellen Giraalso will also play a concert at SAM on July 6. at 7:30 p.m.
•On July 13, it's the annual Sea to Sky BC SPCA Flea Market from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 41345 Kingswood Rd.
"A fundraiser for the Sea to Sky BC SPCA. A sale with lots of treasures to be found. No prices on the items so it is a pay what you want event. Cash preferred," reads the description.
•Later, on July 13, you can catch Black Pontiac: Indie Night with Grade School and Friends at Trickster's Hideout, from 8 p.m. to midnight.
"Join us for an unforgettable evening of feel-good indie vibes at Indie Night," reads the event listing.
•On July 25, catch Taylor James at the Sea to Sky Gondola, fro 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
"For Taylor, music is first and foremost about connection. It’s about translating and sharing the emotions that make life worth living, that make us who we are. “The world is messed up,” she says. “With music, I want to show people that they’re not alone, give them an opportunity and safe place to feel. Sure, I’d like to take the show to a bigger audience – whether it’s onstage or in front of camera. But the goal is to connect, not to get famous or impress anybody. Music makes the world better. That’s why I do it," reads the event listing.
Want a possible shout-out in our daily report? Load your event into our free online event calendar.
On this day
- The average high temperature in Squamish on July 4 is 22.5 C, according to Environment Canada.
- The average low is 11.5 C.
- The highest temperature on this day (1982-2023) was 32.5 C in 2023.
- The lowest temperature seen on this day in the district was 4.8 C in 1986.
- The most precipitation we have seen on this day was 28.4 millimetres in 1987.
Looking ahead
Friday, we will see a high of 29 C and an overnight low down to 13 C.
Saturday, the forecast is for 31 C and a low down to 15 C.
Sunday, expect a high of 32 C (!!) and a low down to 15 C.
Gas prices
According to our latest data, on July 4, regular gas is selling for 179.9 cents per litre at most Squamish stations.
In Whistler, the cheapest gas in town is 179.9/L at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In North Vancouver, gas is selling for 178.9/L at the Chevron at 2305 Lonsdale Ave.
Road warnings
On Highway 99, northbound, until Aug. 4, expect utility work between Scott Cres. and Cleveland Ave. The right turn lane and shoulder is closed. Watch for traffic control.
Find the latest road warnings on the DriveBC site.
Tricky driving?
Do you avoid parallel parking downtown in Squamish? If you do, you aren't alone.
According to a new ICBC survey, 59% of drivers in the province who were surveyed said parallel parking was the most difficult manoeuvre to learn when they started to drive. About 40% of drivers said they still avoid parallel parking when possible.
In a distant second on the list of driving actions respondents avoid was backing into a parking stall, which 20% said they avoid.
When asked to consider the driving of others, survey respondents said that leaving adequate distance when driving behind another vehicle, giving space to other drivers wanting to merge onto the highway, and completely stopping at a stop sign were the top of actions that drivers thought other drivers needed to brush up on the most.
The Crown corporation has a new video series on Instagram and has produced YouTube videos with tips on these and other manoeuvres that came up as tricky in the survey.
Wind:
Stay cool today, Squamish!
