Welcome to June, Squamish!
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says an upper ridge of high pressure positioned offshore over the northeast Pacific will bring dry conditions with warming temperatures that run above normal throughout the week.
Highs near 30 C are expected by next weekend.
“Welcome to meteorological summer,” he said.
What is that, you ask?
Meteorologists divide the seasons according to weather rhythms and the Gregorian calendar.
“The best way to split the seasons up is to divide the year into quarters, each consisting of three complete calendar months. Spring is then defined as March, April and May, summer as June, July and August (the warmest months), autumn as September, October and November and winter as December, January and February (the coldest months). These months never change and so enable meteorologists to collate data easily and to compare seasonal statistics,” reads the description by the Royal Meteorological Society.
We will see a high of 23 C and a low of 9 C overnight, according to Environment Canada.
The Ultraviolet (UV) index is set to reach 7, or high.
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 6 or 7, Environment Canada says: "Take care. Wear big hats and clothes that cover your skin. Put sunscreen on skin that you can't cover. Don't be fooled if it's cool or slightly cloudy. The UV still gets through."
(See the advice for the full range of the index.)
Sunset will be at 9:12 p.m. on Sunday. Sunrise was at 5:09 a.m.
SAR warning about drones
Squamish Search and Rescue (SSAR) is warning folks about illegal drone use after a dangerous situation during a rescue mission on Saturday.
SSAR said on social media that on Saturday evening, its members responded to help a hiker who fell and suffered a leg injury near the top of First Peak of the Stawamus Chief. Several members were flown on a Blackcomb helicopter, and the hiker was long lined out to receive medical care.
"During the rescue, a drone was flown dangerously close to our team and the helicopter—between loads. It only moved after being signalled to leave the area," SSAR's post to Instagram reads.
"Reminder: Flying drones in B.C. parks is prohibited, and operating them near active helicopter rescues is extremely dangerous. Please stay well clear of rescue operations—for everyone’s safety."
Moon phase
The moon is in its first quarter phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 44.38%, 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 11 C at the Halibut Bank buoy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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)
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (Low)
Tomorrow, June 3
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Moderate
Tomorrow's top allergens
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Alder (Low)
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (Low)
June 4
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Low
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.
The high in Squamish yesterday was 19.3 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on June 2 was Tatlayoko Lake (in the western Chilcotin District of the Central Interior), which dipped to -3.9 C.
Other stuff you should know
GoByBike week
As part of GoByBike week, which runs May 30 to June 6, the District is hosting a Bike Maintenance Basics Workshop on Wednesday, June 4, from 6 to 8 pm at DOX Squamish, located at 40446 Government Rd.
"This event is free to attend, but registration is required. All tools and supplies will be provided, just bring your bike. Everyone is welcome," reads the District post.
Register on Eventbrite.
Training berm reopens
The Squamish Spit training berm road has reopened to the public late last week 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 had been closed to traffic since March 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.
Water restrictions
Water restrictions within the district 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.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek water restrictions
Watering restrictions in are also in effect for Britannia Beach and Furry Creek as of June 1, the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD) announced in its newsletter.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek water system users, are asked to limit their use of water for sprinkling and irrigation to the following times:
- 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
- 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
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. at 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 ⬇️.
