Happy Friday, Squamish!
Here’s what you need to know to start your day—and your weekend—off right.
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says that a ridge of high pressure over southern B.C. will bring drier and warmer conditions today, with highs near 20 C along the coast and 24 C inland.
A weak frontal system will move into the south coast on Saturday morning, bringing cooler temperatures and showers.
High pressure will rebuild over the coast on Sunday into early next week, with dry conditions and warmer temperatures.
The index, which was invented in Canada, ranges from 0 to 11+.
UV can cause sunburn, eye cataracts, skin aging and skin cancer.
When the index is at 8 or higher Environment Canada says: "Look out! Don't stay too long in the sun, especially between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Wear your sunglasses (the special UV ones) and stay in the shade. Put on more sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or working up a good sweat."
(See the advice for the full range of the index.)
Sunset will be at 9:09 p.m. on Friday night. Sunrise was at 5:11 a.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waxing crescent phase.
"In the Northern Hemisphere, we see the waxing crescent phase as a thin crescent of light on the right," explains the Lunar and Planetary Institute.
The moon's illumination is currently 6.32%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
It is currently located in the constellation Pisces.
Seawater temp
The water temperature in Howe Sound today is again 14 C at the Halibut Bank buoy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
May's average water temperature in Howe Sound is 13.2 C, the minimum temperature is 9.9 C, and the maximum is 18 C.
Allergens
According to Aerobiology Research Laboratories data, this is the pollen situation in our region:
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
Today's top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Alder (Low)
Birch (Low)
Tomorrow, May 31
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Moderate
Tomorrow's top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Alder (Low)
Birch (Low)
June 1
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Cranbrook, which saw a high of 30.5 C, according to Environment Canada data.
The high in Squamish yesterday was 21.5 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on May 29 was Yoho National Park, which dipped to 3.7 C.
Other stuff you should know
Training berm reopens
The Squamish Spit training berm road has reopened to the public after the fourth and final fish-friendly culvert was installed across the Squamish River Training Berm, completing Phase 1 of the Central Estuary restoration Project (CERP).
The area has been closed to traffic since May 10, to allow for the work to take place.
Be extra bear aware
The District put out a call to residents on Thursday, asking them to take extra precautions when using the Estuary Trail (also known as Swan Trail).
According to a District post to its social media, the Conservation Officer Service (COS) reported that a trail runner had been bluff charged by two black bears on Wednesday, May 28.
The runner was not injured.
According to Parks Canada, a bluff-charge is when a defensive bear charges someone, but stops before reaching the person.
"The bear is trying to intimidate you. Once the bear has come to a halt, resume moving away and talk to the bear calmly so as to reassure it. This should help the bear to calm down and allow you to leave the area," reads the Parks Canada website.
"During a bluff-charge, bears frequently veer off and then flee."
The COS advises that folks in the estuary make noise to avoid surprising bears and ensure pets are leashed.
Conservation Officers are monitoring bear activity in the area and will respond as necessary to ensure public safety.
Report wildlife conflicts to the Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP) hotline at 1-877-952-7277.
The District also provided the following tips.
When recreating in bear country, remember to be aware of your surroundings.
- Carry bear spray.
- Travel in groups if possible and make noise to avoid surprising a bear.
- Leash dogs at all times—bears can see dogs as threats, and off-leash dogs may provoke a response or lead the bear back to its person.
- Look out for bear signs like fresh scats, freshly overturned logs, and ripe berries on bushes and avoid overgrown trails.
- Use extra caution in areas where bears commonly are, such as near berry bushes or streams.
- Make noise on the trail by clapping or talking, especially around blind corners or when visibility is low.
Fire alarm testing today
The District says that its fire alarms at Brennan Park Recreation Centre will be tested today from 1 to 5 p.m.
People with sensitivities to sounds like this should avoid the centre this afternoon, the notice to the District's social media states.
Water restrictions
Water restrictions began on Thursday, May 1.
The muni has set Stage 1 outdoor water use restrictions.
Stage 1 means lawn watering is limited to two days per week.
"In the summer months, water consumption nearly doubles. The outdoor water use restrictions are in place to effectively manage the supply and demand of water across the community during the warmer months," the District said in a social media post.
Locals with even-numbered addresses water on Wednesday and Saturday.
Locals with odd addresses water on Thursday and Sunday.
Watering can take place from 4 to 10 a.m. and from 7 to 10 p.m.
Permits may allow additional watering of newly seeded lawns and new sod. Call the Public Works office at 604.815.6868 for more on those permits.
Weekly organics collection is back
The District has announced on their Facebook page that organics collection has resumed to being a weekly event as opposed to bi-weekly.
"Please ensure your yard waste/organics totes are closed at the time of collection. Totes with flipped back lids and tree branches longer than 24 inches or greater than 2 inches in diameter can both damage the bear-proof banding on your tote and disable the truck," reads the District website.
"Any overfilled totes will be marked indicating 'oversized yard waste' and will not be serviced on collection day."
Have more organic or yard waste than you can fit in your tote? You can stockpile it until you can fit it in your tote at a later date.
"Use a backyard composter, leave grass clippings on the lawn, take it to the Squamish Landfill Public Depot for a small fee, or ask your neighbours if they have any extra space," the District writes.
How to use your organics tote:
- Collect food scraps and food soiled paper in your kitchen container. You can line your kitchen container with newspaper or paper bags, or use it on its own. Plastic bags of any type are not permitted - even those that claim they are compostable. Watch this YouTube video demonstrating how to make a liner from newspaper or download these instructions. The "Green Lid" compostable bins are also acceptable.
- Empty your kitchen container into your organics tote and layer with yard waste if possible. Rinse your kitchen catcher regularly.
- Place your unlocked organics totes curbside by 7:45 am on your collection day. Your organics tote will be collected bi-weekly, year round, on the same day as your recycling tote.
Battery & recycling pop-up events
The SLRD has announced Britannia Beach and Furry Creek Pop-Up Depots.
According to a post by the regional district, "Squamish CAN will be in Britannia Beach and Furry Creek to collect flexible plastics, foam packaging and household batteries."
Furry Creek, Oliver’s Landing Community Centre parking lot:
June 26, 12 to 3 p.m.
Britannia Beach, alternating location:
June 26, 4 to 7 p.m. - 351 Copper Dr. by the Adera visitor parking stalls.
Chipper days!
Squamish FireSmart is hosting Chipper Days for the 2025 wildfire season.
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 ⬇️.
