Happy Tuesday to you, Squamish.
The weather is back to seasonal norms for a bit.
Today, July 23, we will see a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 23 C, dipping down to a low of 11 C overnight, according to Environment Canada.
The average high on this day in Squamish is 23.9 C; the average low is 12.2 C.
When the sun does poke out, the UV index will reach 7, or high, today.
In Canada, the index ranges from 1 to 11; the higher the number, the stronger the sun’s UV rays.
Yesterday, we saw a high of 24.3 C; it dipped down to a low of 16.3 C overnight.
Campfire bans
Due to the hot, dry weather we have been having, the BC Wildfire Service has rated the danger of wildfire in Squamish as extreme, or high in recent days.
"New fires may start easily, burn vigorously, and challenge fire suppression efforts. Extreme caution must be used in any forest activities. Open burning and industrial activities may be restricted," reads the provincial government's website.
There's a municipal campfire ban in place for Squamish.
There's also a ban on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires.
The following activities are not allowed:
- Campfires (Category 1)
- Category 2, Category 3 open fires
- Fireworks
- Sky Lanterns
- Binary Exploding Targets
- Burn Barrels or Burn Cages of any size or description
- Air Curtain Burners
- Tiki torches
- Wood-burning saunas and hot tubs
The following are never allowed in Squamish:
- Fires in any public space, including forests, riverbanks, mountainsides, beaches
- Open Air Burning, including but not limited to: yard waste, garden debris and construction materials
Still allowed are cooking stoves that use gas, or propane, or portable campfire devices that use liquid, or gaseous fuel, provided the height of the flame is less than 15 centimetres.
There's also a BC Wildfire Service provincewide campfire ban that went into effect July 12.
This means that in addition to campfires not being allowed within Squamish, they are not permitted in any areas outside of it.
To report a wildfire, unattended campfire, or open burning violation, call 911 if within the municipal boundaries, or, if outside the district, call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free or *5555 on a cell phone.
No kiting at oceanfront beach
In the wake of a man's death while he was kiteboarding off of Sp'akw'us Feather Park on July 1, the District of Squamish has temporarily closed the beach to kiteboarding while an investigation into the incident is underway.
"Kites are being restricted out of caution to ensure public safety. Wingfoiling and windsurfing continue to be permitted," a District release states.
Access to Pepahím̓ (Spit Island) for kiteboarding is available through a shuttle operated by the Squamish Windsports Society.
Shuttles take place daily between noon and 7 p.m., with access to the shuttle launch a short walk from the Sp’akw’us Feather parking lot.
Visit squamishwindsports.com for more information and current weather conditions.
Sunrise & sunset
Sunrise on July 23 was at 5:32 a.m. Sunset will be at 9:05 p.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waning gibbous phase.
"The term waning means decreasing, and the term gibbous means “humped-back.” Therefore, this phase is called Waning Gibbous because the surface area of the Moon that you see is decreasing and the shape of the lit-up part of the moon looks like a hump-back," explains the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center site.
The moon's illumination is currently 93.71%, 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 Pisces.
The moon is currently 366,315.55 kilometres from Earth.
Moonrise is at 10:41 p.m., moonset will be at 8:13 a.m.
Tides
The next low tide today will be at 1:42 p.m. (Height: 0.42 metres); the next high tide is at 9:06 p.m. (4.83 m), according to the site tides.today.
Seawater temps
The current water temperature in Howe Sound on July 23, measured at Halibut Bank (49.34N 123.72W), is 18 C, according to this government site.
Good fishing day?
According to solunarforecast.com, July 23 is set to be a "good" fishing day in Squamish.
The best, or major, bite time today is between 2:44 p.m. and 4:44 p.m.
How are these bite times calculated, anyway?
"The gravitational pull of the moon affects tidal movement, while the sunrise and sunset times can help anglers predict when the fish are going to bite. Many anglers feel that fish are most active on a full moon or new moon, and that activity is at a low on a quarter moon or a three quarter moon," reads the Take Me Fishing site.
Events to note
Here are some upcoming local events you might want to attend:
•July 24, its “Whose Beat is it Anyway?” | Open Deck Night – DJ Freestyle Sets at Trickster's Hideout from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
"No entry fee – all music lovers welcome! Whether you’re a seasoned DJ or a passionate tune enthusiast, seize the stage and share your beats with us," reads the listing.
•On July 25, catch Taylor James at the Sea to Sky Gondola, from 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," reads the event listing.
•On July 26, there's Board Game Night at Arrow Wood Games for those 18 and older, from 7 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The store is located at 38157 Second Ave.
"Gather your friends for a night of focused game play in our Games Room! At our Board Game Night, the games room is open for groups of friends to come in and enjoy a night of uninterrupted gaming fun," reads the listing.
•Also on July 26, catch the Big Fat Comedy Show by Bomb Comedy Club at Trickster's Hideout, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"Vancouver Special comics: Ray Morrison & Colleen Thompson headline while our Squamish Local Legends get us primed for LOLs," reads the listing.
•On July 26/27, catch Broadway or Bust Presents: High School Musical, at the Eagle Eye Community Theatre. Show times are: July 26 at 7 p.m. and July 27 at 8:30 p.m.
"Join Broadway or Bust Performing Arts as 43 youth present High School Musical, Disney's smash hit musical come to life on stage," reads the event listing.
•Also on July 27, check out the Vox Rea: Name It Yourself Music Festival 2024, at Trickster's Hideout from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
The evening includes performances by Evan and the Tide, Wack, Suppertime, Fet's Luck, and Vox Rea.
•Looking to next month, on Aug. 10, catch Shari Ulrich in concert (with Jeanne Tolmie) at The BAG, from 7:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
"Shari first played the Brackendale Art Gallery 50 years ago and it has been a thread through her life ever since. She has played there with every musical adventure from the Pied Pumkin to the High Bar Gand and everything in between, including many solo shows. She's being accompanied for this evening with her cohort in The Luckies, Jeanne Tolmie," 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."
On this day
- The highest temperature on this day (1982-2023) was 37.3 C in 2004 (Yikes!).
- The lowest temperature seen on this day in the district was 7.5 C in 1982.
- The most precipitation we have seen on this day was 13 millimetres in 2014.
Looking ahead.
Wednesday, expect a mix of sun and cloud, with temperatures reaching a high of 23 C, dipping down to 13 C at night.
There's a 60 % chance of showers overnight on Wednesday.
Thursday, we can expect it to be sunny; the high will reach 21 C, and the overnight low will dip down to 10 C.
Friday, expect it to be sunny with a high of 24 C, with an overnight low down to 13 C.
So far, Environment Canada is predicting a mix of sun and cloud in the forecast for the weekend.
Gas prices
According to our latest data, on July 23, the cheapest regular gas in Squamish is 178.9 cents per litre at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar.
In Whistler, gas is going for 179.9/L at the Co-op at 2101 Lake Placid Rd.
In Pemberton, fill up for 178.9/L at AC Gas at 7432 Prospect St.
Some of the cheapest gas we could find in B.C. was again in Hope, where you can fill up for 157.9/L at the Shell at 63100 Flood Hope Rd., according to GasBuddy.
Road warnings
•On Highway 99, northbound, until Aug. 4, expect utility work between Scott Cres. and Cleveland Ave. The right turn lane and shoulder may be closed. Watch for traffic control.
•Starting today, on Highway 99, in both directions, bridge maintenance planned between Ocean Point Dr and Porteau Cove Rd for 5.0 km (Lions Bay). The work will start at 7:30 a.m. and continue until Wednesday, July 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Find the latest road warnings on the DriveBC site.
