Skip to content

Squamish Today—Oct. 6: Remember, it is winter tire time

Everything you need to know before you start your day in Squamish.
Winter tire WEB credit Winter Driving Safety Alliance
Winter tires or chains are required by law now on the Sea to Sky Highway, through spring.

Good Sunday to you, Squamish.

Environment Canada says it will be cloudy today, with a 30% chance of showers early this morning.

We can expect a mix of sun and cloud near noon.

We will see a high of 19 C and a low down to 8 C overnight.

Don't forget, since Oct. 1, winter tires or chains are required on the Sea to Sky Highway. It is the law.

"On B.C. roads and highways where winter tires are required, 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 3-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.

Looking ahead

Monday is looking like the best day of the week to get outside, with a mix of sun and cloud expected. 

Clouds, rain and showers are in the forecast for the rest of the week.

Salt shed on the move

The District of Squamish has announced the temporary relocation of a salt shed from 39909 Government Road to the Brennan Park overflow-campground.

The move is due to the building of the new public works facility at the Public Works Yard.

The change will get underway this week.

 The municipal campground will continue to operate only for events.

The temporary location will be used for about three years during the construction of the new public works facility.

"District staff explored several sites for the temporary relocation, and the Brennan Park overflow campground was determined to be most suitable based on location, site readiness, access and public safety," reads a public release about the move.

"The site will be paved in order to accommodate the footprint of the salt shed and will be resurfaced once the shed is removed. "

That work will last until the end of October.

During construction, the District says folks can expect the following impacts to the area;

During construction: 

  • Increased truck traffic and heavy equipment (excavators and crane) 
  • Soil removal and paving work 
  • No lane closures are anticipated 
  • Corridor Trail will not be impacted 
  • Trail users are asked to use extra caution and be mindful of trucks turning into the work site 
  • Construction noise 

When winter weather hits: 

  • When we get heavy amounts of snow, locals in the area can expect to see increased traffic, with trucks entering and exiting the site on a daily 24/7 basis 
  • Increased truck noise (truck safety backup beepers) 

Depot open!

The new Squamish DOX recycle depot is finally open. 

The Recycle BC  Recycling Depot opened Sept. 26 at 40446 Government Road.

It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Spit Road closure

The Squamish Training Berm (Spit Road), is now closed until Nov. 15, as Squamish River Watershed Society (SRWS) crews install a third large fish-friendly box culvert.

"This feature will replace the current undersized culvert, which will improve fish access and allow freshwater to transfer into the central estuary channel from the Squamish River," reads a SRWS post.

The work is part of the Central Estuary Restoration Project.

Sunrise & sunset

Sunrise on Oct. 6 was at 7:21 a.m. Sunset today will be at 6:38 p.m. 

Moon phase

The moon is in its waxing crescent phase.

"This phase is called the waxing crescent because the area illuminated on the surface of the moon makes the shape of a crescent, and the term waxing means increasing. This phase is one step in the cycle away from the first quarter phase, so the angle of the Earth, moon, and sun is almost perpendicular," reads the Kopernik Observatory & Science Center site.

The moon's illumination is currently 12.63%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun.

The moon is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.

It is 399,017.05 km from Earth.

Moonrise was at 11:49 a.m.; moonset is at 7:51 p.m. 

Tides

The next high tide today is at 9:10 a.m. (height:  4.2 metres); the next low tide today is at 2.21 p.m. (height: 3.19 m), according to tides.today.

The final high tide is at 7:25 p.m. (4.17 m).

Seawater temp

The water temperature in Howe Sound today is 13 C. Based on historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2014 and was 15.1 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2007 at 11.7 C, according to seatemperature.info.

The seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 11.3 C in the next 10 days.

October average water temperature in Howe Sound is 11.6 C, the minimum temperature is 9.1 C, and the maximum is 15.5 C.

The sea salinity in Howe Sound is 27.32‰, while the average salinity of the World Ocean is 35‰.

The ‰ symbol, different from the % symbol, is per mille and indicates parts per thousand.

One per-mille is equal to 1/1000 fraction: 1‰ = 1/1000 = 0.001.

Events to note

There's always something going on in this town. Here are some events that stand out to us:

Tonight, Flagship Romance plays at Tricksters (38005 Cleveland Avenue) from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. This concert is free.

"Flagship Romance is an unforgettable alternative folk duo known for their breathtaking vocal harmonies, inspired songwriting, dynamic live show, and a remarkable on and off-stage chemistry that will leave you with the feeling that you made two new best friends," reads the listing.

Oct. 12Neighbourhood Craft is back. Find it at 38174 Cleveland Avenue from 10 to 4 p.m.

"Neighbourhood Craft is a celebration of art, design, culture and community, bringing together artists, makers and growers with handmade, vintage and locally sourced goods," 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."

Highway 99 issues to note

On the Sea to Sky Highway, starting Monday and lasting through Thursday, watch for road sweeping planned between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Alpha Lake Rd for 94.3 km (Whistler to West Vancouver).  The work is scheduled from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. There will be a lane closure.

Gas prices

The cheapest regular gas in Squamish is going for 168.9 cents per litre today at the Squamish Valley Gas Bar, at 9001 Valley Dr.

In Whistler, you can fill up for 172.9/L at most stations.

In Pemby, petrol is going for 168.9/L at AC Gas, at 7432 Prospect St.

According to GasBuddy, the least expensive gas today in B.C. is in Fort St. John, where you can fill up for 147.9/L, at the Canco located at 11211 Alaska Rd S.

Latest post from SAR:

push icon
Be the first to read breaking stories. Enable push notifications on your device. Disable anytime.
No thanks