Happy Victoria Day, Squamish!
For the uninitiated—or those who may have forgotten—here’s why today is a statutory holiday in Canada and what it commemorates.
"In 1845, during the reign of Queen Victoria, May 24, the queen’s birthday, was declared a holiday in Canada," explains an entry in Encyclopedia Britannica.
"After Victoria’s death in 1901, an act of the Canadian Parliament established Victoria Day as a legal holiday, to be celebrated on May 24 (or on May 25 when May 24 fell on a Sunday). The birthday of Victoria’s son, Edward VII (born November 9), was also celebrated on Victoria Day, following an intermittent British custom of celebrating a sovereign’s birthday on that of his predecessor."
So, what weather are we in for today?
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says a frontal system will bring showers across the south coast this morning.
The trailing upper trough will bring a chance of showers this afternoon, with a risk of thunderstorms. High pressure will build towards the middle of the week, bringing warmer temperatures and drier conditions.
Sunset will be at 8:56 p.m. tonight.
For early risers, sunrise is at about 5:23 a.m.
Moon phase
The moon is in its last quarter phase.
During this phase, "the moon looks like it’s half illuminated from the perspective of Earth, but really you’re seeing half of the half of the moon that’s illuminated by the sun―or a quarter. A last quarter moon, also known as a third quarter moon, rises around midnight and sets around noon," reads the NASA Science website.
The moon's illumination is currently 59.52%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
It is currently located in the constellation Aquarius.
Seawater temp
The water temperature in Howe Sound today is 13 C at the Halibut Bank buoy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
May 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 today in our region:
Pollen: High
Spores: Low
Today's top allergens
Pine, Fir, Spruce (High)
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Alder (Low)
Tomorrow, May 20
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Moderate
Tomorrow's Top allergens
Pine, Fir, Spruce (High)
All Fungal Spores (Low)
Alder (Low)
May 21
Pollen: Moderate
Spores: Moderate
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was again Fort Nelson, which saw a high of 21 C, according to Environment Canada data.
The high in Squamish yesterday was 15.4 C.
The coldest spot in B.C. on May 18 was Yoho National, which dipped to 0.5 C.
The hot spot in Canada yesterday was Garden River, AB, which hit 24 C.
The coldest spot in Canada on May 18 was Sanirajak, NU, which dipped to -17.7 C.
Other stuff you should know
Long weekend warnings
If you are coming to visit Squamish on this stat, the District provides the following advice to make it a pleasant visit for all involved.
Be bear aware
Bears are out and active. Don’t leave food or bags unattended, especially at trailheads like Smoke Bluffs. Store all scented items properly and make sure to pack out everything you bring in.
Be FireSmart
While recent rain has helped, conditions can dry out quickly. Avoid anything that could start a fire and follow all local rules and restrictions.
Know before you go (and park)
There’s day-use parking at Smoke Bluffs, the Adventure Centre, and Brennan Park Recreation Centre. Street parking is an option too, just check the signs before you leave your car.
Camping? Plan ahead.
Sites fill up quickly, and a lot of popular spots may already be booked. Check out Tourism Squamish for info on where to camp responsibly.
Cougar alert
The District is warning people to avoid a trail and keep their wits about them after the Conservation Officer Service (COS) said it recently received a report of a cougar interaction with a trail user along the Sea to Sky mountain bike trail, approximately 20km north of Squamish.
The public is advised to avoid using the trail today.
Here are some tips for staying safe from cougars that the District posted to its social media:
• Avoid recreating alone. Cougars are less likely to approach groups of people.
• Carry bear spray and ensure that it is placed in an accessible spot (e.g. bottle holder, waist belt). Make sure it is not expired.
• Make lots of noise while you’re on the trail to avoid surprise encounters, especially when you can’t see what’s ahead of you.
• Leave your dog at home if possible. If you have your dog with you, keep it close and leashed.
If you encounter a cougar, follow these steps:
• Do not run or turn your back on it. Face the cougar and back away slowly.
• Pick up small children and pets immediately.
• Make yourself look large by waving your arms, opening up your jacket or holding up an object above your head.
• Be aggressive by shouting, throwing rocks or waving a stick to deter the cougar.
Report all human-wildlife conflicts to the RAPP line (1-877-952-7277).
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.
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 ⬇️.
