Happy election day Monday to you!
Off the top, if you are looking for election information today, we have you covered here.
If you want an update on the wildfire, head here.
Today is the start of Pitch-In Week in Squamish, which is on from April 28 to May 4.
"Pitch-In Week is a great opportunity for residents, students, and community groups to come together and help clean up our community. You can sign up individually, with your household or family, or join local organizations that are hosting their own initiatives," reads a muni post.
Register your Pitch-In Week activity with the District and the muni will supply gloves, garbage bags and a tipping fee waiver for all registered cleanup events.
Some folks got an early start on their clean-up on Earth Day.
For example, there was the Squamish Earth Day Adventure Community Clean-up, April 22.
This involved guests at the Squamish Adventure Inn, Capra Run Club members and enthusiastic members of the community of all ages.
They held two separate clean-ups that day.
In the morning, they did a pick-up along trails and the highway.
An event organizer told The Squamish Chief they were surprised by the mountain of trash that eight people collected in one hour—over 10 full bags of garbage and discarded materials.
In the evening, Capra Running helped to host a run club of "plogging" from the Swedish term and movement of Plogga, which refers to picking up garbage as you run.
Behind the high school, in parks, in deep ditches, the team separated and brought back a “huge haul” of over 12 bags and three shopping carts.
“We had a celebration and laugh over the ‘best garbage find.’ It was a success to have so many people, from travellers to 10-plus year long community members, joining together to pick up trash one by one,” the spokesperson said.
After the success of this event, the Adventure Inn wants to turn this into a monthly event, "collaborating with different groups/members of the community."
Well done! Good luck to all the Pitch-In Week participants!
The weather won't be quite as nice this week as it was on Earth Day, unfortunately, but this weather is better for that fire.
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says that a weak frontal system will pass through the south coast today, resulting in cloudy, cooler conditions, and showers.
Dry, warm conditions will return by mid-week, Ross added, as a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the province. An upper trough will bring cooler temperatures and precipitation chances Friday evening into next weekend.
Sunrise was at 5: 55 a.m.; sunset will be at 8:26 p.m.
The UV index is 2, or moderate today.
As a refresher, the higher the UV index number, the stronger the sun's rays, and the greater the need to take sun safety precautions.
In Canada, the UV index ranges from 0 to 11+.
Environment Canada warns that when the UV index is 3 or higher, you should protect your skin as much as possible.
- Did you know: Window glass does not provide full UV protection. It filters out UV-B but not UV-A. You can still get a sunburn. It just takes longer. (From Environment Canada.)
Tonight will see rain.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Nelson, which saw a high of 24.5 C, according to Environment Canada data.
It was also the hot spot in Canada.
The high in Squamish yesterday was 18.3 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on April 27 was Dease Lake, which dipped to -6.8 C.
The coldest spot in Canada yesterday was Alert, NU which dipped to -24.1 C.
Moon phase
The moon is in its new moon phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 1.52%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to phasesmoon.com.
Seawater temp
According to seatemperature.info, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 12.2 C.
April average water temperature in Howe Sound is 9.7 C, the minimum temperature is 7.3 C, and the maximum is 13.8 C, according to the site.
Allergens
According to Aerobiology Research Laboratories data, this is the pollen count today in our region:
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
(Spores are produced by non-seed plants, fungi.)
Today's top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Boxelder, Maple (Low)
Alder (Low)
Forecast for tomorrow, April 29,
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
Tomorrow's Top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
BoxelderBoxelder, Maple (Low)
Alder (Low)
Other stuff you should know
Trail work to note
The municipality says its Mount Garibaldi Cemetery expansion is underway with forest and vegetation clearing now complete.
"Consultants are actively completing design milestones in preparation for construction, which is expected to take place from July to December 2025," the muni said in an update in its recent newsletter.
The nearby trail to the east, which has been affected by the land clearing for the expansion, has resulted in SORCA being retained to complete a 100-metre re-route.
This work is now underway with help from students at Don Ross Secondary. The District said it expects the re-route to be open by the end of May.
Landfill closure
The District notes that the landfill will be closed tomorrow, April 29 for scale re-calibration.
"This routine maintenance ensures the weigh scale provides accurate readings and meets regulatory standards," reads an email alert from the District of Squamish.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
The District reminds locals that Squamish DOX Recycling, located at 40446 Government Road, is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The recycle hub accepts a variety of recyclable materials, including: glass, flexible plastics, foam packaging, paper and cardboard, containers (plastic, metal, and paper).
Live view of the Stawamus Chief ⬇️.
