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Squamish Today—June 15: A roundup of weather, events, gas prices and several Hwy 99 alerts

Discover today's moon phase, tides, seawater temps, wind at the Spit, and we have some motorcycle tips for riders.

Saturday will be a wet one, folks. 

Environment Canada says to expect showers and there’s a risk of thunderstorms and hail late this morning and this afternoon. 

We can expect a high of 14 C today. 

Tonight, it will be cloudy with a 60% chance of showers. 

The temperature will dip down to 9 C overnight.

Sunrise & sunset

Sunrise June 15 was at 5:02 a.m. Sunset will be at 9:24 p.m.

Moon phase

The moon is in its first quarter, meaning that it is increasing in size (to our eyes), according to phasesmoon.com.

Its illumination is  62.91%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun

The moon is currently located in the constellation of Virgo.

The next full moon will be on June 20, at 8:55 p.m.

Tides

Low tide today is at 8:20 a.m. (2.32 metres); high tide is at 2:11 p.m. (3.37 m), according to tide-forecast.com.

The next low tide is at 7:02 p.m. (2.85 m).

Seawater temps

The water temperature in Howe Sound on June 15 is 16 C, according to seatemperature.info.

The calculation is made using historical data over a decade. 

The warmest water we have seen today in Howe Sound was 18.6 C in 2019, and the coldest was 13.8 C in 2008.

According to the site, the seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to rise to 16.4 C in the next 10 days. 

The June average water temperature in the sound is 15.8 C, the minimum temperature is 12.3 C, and the maximum is  21.3 C.

Good fishing day?

According to solunarforecast.com, June 15 is an “average” fishing day in Squamish.

The prime bite times today are from 7:20 to  9:20 a.m. and 7:39 p.m. to 9:39 p.m.

Events to note

Here are some upcoming events you might want to attend.

Today, June 15th, there’s Discover Aviation Day at Squamish Airport, from  10 a.m. to  3 p.m.

“A chance for families to learn about flying, and kids have a chance to go up for a free flight. We will have lots of fun kids' activities at the Squamish Airport. Come and look at airplanes + helicopters,” reads the listing.

Also on today is the Hooves & Hearts Fundraiser at Second Chance Cheekye Ranch. The event runs from  10:a.m. to 3 p.m.  at 60001 Squamish Valley Rd. 

"Annual fundraiser with art & gift card auction, rescue tour,  tacos & bannock, face-painting, and scavenger hunt," reads the description.

Looking further ahead, the popular Poet Next Door: Summer Series is back and outside for the summer season on June 19 from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at 37710 Third Avenue.

Also on June 19, catch the Uncharitable Movie at The BAG, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

"This event is free and open to everyone, however, donations are gratefully received. All proceeds going to Operation Funds. The price shown on this page reflects a food and beverage ticket that is available for this event," reads the event listing.

Junction Park & O’Siyam Pavilion will host the 10th International Yoga Day and National Indigenous Peoples Day from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on June 21.

“Outdoor yoga and meditation with Elizabeth Marleau and the Stawamus Chief as your backdrop. Honouring National Indigenous Peoples Day and moving the body alongside Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Stephen Spender,” reads the event listing.

On June 29th, Scenic Route to Alaska: SRTA is at The BAG from 7 to 11 p.m.

“Born and raised in Edmonton, the trio of childhood best friends, Scenic Route to Alaska, has been a consistent force in Canada's music scene since 2011,” reads the event listing.

Also on June 29, See Fresh Cut Grass Band: Schools Out! at Tricksters from 8 p.m. to midnight. 

“Fresh Cut Grass, the ultimate tribute band, playing all your favourite 90s and 2000s alt-rock, pop punk, and emo hits,” reads the description.

On June 30, Rubber Tire Peep Show is playing at The BAG from 8 p.m. until midnight.

"The group’s eclectic genre-bending repertoire spans sounds from country, blues, funk, soul, to some good old rock ’n’ roll, putting a contemporary spin on the musical styles of the ’70s," reads the event listing.

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. 

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 June 15 is 20.5 C, according to Environment Canada.
  • The average low is 10.1 C.
  • The highest temperature on this day (1983-2023) was 30.2 C in 2015.
  • The lowest temperature seen on this day in the district was 3.6 C in 2004.
  • The most precipitation we have seen on this day was 21.1 millimetres in 2017.

Looking to the rest of the weekend

Father's Day, sadly, will be cloudy with a 60% chance of showers.  We will see a high of 17 C and a low down to 11 C.

Starting Monday, the sun will return and the temperatures will ramp up through the week.

Gas prices

According to our latest data, on June 15, regular gas is going for 189.9 cents per litre at local stations.

In Whistler, gas is also going for 189.9/L.

In North Vancouver,  gas is selling for 181.9/L  at the Chevron at 2305 Lonsdale Ave.

Road warnings

• The District of Squamish alerts drivers that crews are upgrading approximately 200 metres of "undersized water main" on Tantalus Road. This work will continue through June 28. Single-lane alternating traffic will be required from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• The District also announced that CN crews will be conducting upgrade work on the Cleveland Ave crossing in downtown Squamish.

Intermittent single-lane closures will be in effect for the next week.

• On Highway 99, northbound, maintenance is planned between Centennial Way and Daisy Lake Rd for 29.6 km (Squamish to 8 km south of Whistler), starting on Monday, June 17, until Friday, June 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. This work will result in a lane closure, so expect delays.

• Also on Highway 99, but in both directions, roadside brushing is planned between Alice Lake Rd and Daisy Lake Rd for 6.1 km (6 km north of Squamish to 9 km south of Whistler), starting on Monday, June 17 until Friday, June 21, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. This work will result in a lane closure, so expect delays.

• Looking to the beginning of next month, on Highway 99, northbound expect utility work between Scott Cres and Cleveland Ave until Monday, July 1. The right turn lane and shoulder may be closed. Watch for traffic control.

• Also on Highway 99, in both directions, there will be industrial traffic that may slow or block regular traffic between Sea View Dr and Copper Dr (3 km south of Squamish), on Tuesday, July 2 from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m.

Find the latest road warnings on the DriveBC site.

Motorcycle awareness

With the nicer weather on its way, it is motorcycle season on the Sea to Sky Highway. (And at local Starbucks).

TranBC offers the following tips for motorcycle riders.

  1. Avoid centre of lane when traffic slows. It’s best to have a quick exit strategy when traffic suddenly grinds to a halt. Keeping to the left or right of your lane allows you to escape quickly if a trailing vehicle fails to stop in time.
  2. Dress to be seen and protected. Wearing reflective clothing and bright colours helps other drivers see you. Also, wearing an approved helmet and garments made of leather, or Kevlar, can protect you if you fall. Protect your body from head to toe.
  3. Target open spaces. Think of it as an invisible shield. The more space you surround yourself with, the better. That way, you’re staying out of drivers’ blind spots and avoiding any sudden movements.
  4. Cancel those signals. Continuing straight ahead? Get used to checking your signals when coming up to intersections, ensuring you aren’t sending false messages.
  5. Never come between a car and its off ramp. How many times have you seen a vehicle suddenly cross over to a highway off-ramp at the last second because the driver wasn’t paying attention? When approaching off ramps, it’s best to be in the left lane or, at least, ensure there aren’t any vehicles to your left.

Why is Squamish so windy in the summer?

Kiteboardering season has begun, with kiteboarders sure to be a constant backdrop in Howe Sound until fall. 

But what makes Squamish so windy?

According to Squamish’s Canadian Coastal Sailing, “Squamish winds are formed by unique local geographic features that combine with the summer sun to create anabatic, or thermal, wind, which blows daily from the ocean, through Howe Sound, and up the inland valleys,” reads the site.
“In the summer, as the morning sun rises in the sky, the inland valley begins to heat, which warms the air adjacent to the land. The warming air moves upwards, and cooler, denser air from Howe Sound is pulled up the valley to replace the rising air.”

According to the Squamish Windsports Society website, “the wind is good from May through September. In July and August, you can expect 100% windy days.”

The society also says, that ​"a typical Squamish day has steady wind from midday until evening usually between 18 and 24 knots.”

Driving in the wind

Here are some tips on driving in the wind from the province of British Columbia’s TranBC.

  • Keep both hands on the wheel
  • Watch for debris on the road
  • Avoid using cruise control

Be prepared for sudden changes in wind strength (i.e. underpasses, tunnels, next to large vehicles).
 

Wind:

Have a great rest of the weekend, Squamish!

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