Happy Wednesday, Squamish
We might have had a cool, rainy weekend but looking ahead to this coming Saturday and Sunday, the temperatures are on the rise!
Squamish meteorologist Jason Ross says high pressure will build towards the middle of the week, with warmer and drier conditions with high temperatures pushing into the 30s by the weekend.
Today, Aug. 20 will see a high of 22 C and a low of 10 C with a 40 % chance of showers early this morning.
Records broken
It was predicted to be a wet weekend, and Mother Nature delivered on that promise.
Squamish set a record for rainfall on Friday, Aug. 15, with 35.8 millimetres falling, smashing the previous record set on Aug. 15, 1988, when Squamish received 14.4 mm, according to Matt Loney, senior program meteorologist for Environment and Climate Change Canada.
All told, Squamish got 38 mm partitioned over Aug. 15 and 16, with 2.1 mm falling Saturday, to add to the Friday downpour.
For comparison, Pemberton received 13 millimetres on Aug. 15, leaving its 1934 record of 27.2 mm untouched.
We weren’t the only Sea to Sky Corridor community to break a daily rainfall record, however.
Also on Aug. 15, Whistler soaked up 21 mm, bypassing the previous record of 20.3 mm set in 1961.
West Vancouver saw 80.6 mm fall on Aug. 15, beating the previous record of 38.4 mm set in 1999.
River flows
Squamish rivers swelled following the Aug. 15 rainfall.
According to a spokesperson with the B.C. River Forecast Centre, based on preliminary data from the gauge in the Squamish River near Brackendale, flows in the Squamish River began rising on the evening of Aug. 14, increasing steadily through Aug 15.
Two peaks occurred on Aug. 16—the first very early in the morning (approx. 710 cubic metres per second) and the second in the evening (approx. 730 cubic metres per second), the spokesperson said in an email to The Squamish Chief.
From Aug. 14 to 16, Squamish River flows more than doubled, but the Aug. 16 peaks were not high relative to the typical river patterns.
"Prior to the storm, flows were near average for the time of year, likely due to early August rain and high elevation snow and ice melt. However, for most of the preceding month—from mid-July to early August—flows remained below average due to dry weather conditions, the spokesperson said.
"Although this is one of the higher flows that has occurred so far in 2025 for the Squamish River, it’s not unusually high for the river—in fact, peaks of a similar or higher magnitude have already occurred a few times this year, in late May, early June, and early July."
Rest of the summer to be drier
As for what is to come for the rest of our summer, Loney forecasts to the end of meteorological summer, which runs from June 1 until Aug. 31.
Weather professionals use meteorological summer because “these months never change and so enable meteorologists to collate data easily and to compare seasonal statistics,” according to the Royal Meteorological Society.
“The models are pointing to a warmer and somewhat drier pattern, certainly in the next week or so, we're going to see things drying out…So I don't think we'll see any more of these kinds of heavy precipitation events to the end of the month,” Loney said.
Moon phase
The moon is in its waning crescent phase, meaning getting smaller.
The moon's illumination is currently 7.48%, meaning that is the percentage of the moon illuminated by the sun, according to phasesmoon.com.
It is 26.93 days old and currently located in the Pisces constellation.
Howe Sound conditions
The water temperature in Howe Sound today is 14 C at the Halibut Bank buoy, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
However, this may not reflect nearshore water temperatures closer to Squamish.
The source seatemperature.info says Squamish's water temp in Howe Sound is 18.3 C, based on 10 years of data.
(If you have a better daily Howe Sound water temperature source, email us: [email protected].)
Allergens
According to Aerobiology Research Laboratories data, this is the pollen situation in our region:
Today
Pollen: Low
Spores: Moderate
Today's top allergens:
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (Low)
True Grasses (Low)
Boxelder, Maple (None)
Tomorrow Aug. 21:
Pollen: Low
Spores: Moderate
Top allergens:
Cedar, Cypress, Juniper, Thuja (Low)
True Grasses (Low)
Boxelder, Maple (None)
Aug, 22:
Pollen: Low
Spores: Moderate
Other stuff you should know
Stage 2 water conservation begins
The District of Squamish has implemented Stage 2 water restrictions as of Aug. 18, due to current reservoir levels.
Even with the rain we have had, it was not enough to significantly bolster the water supply.
Stage 2 divides the community into seven areas, and provides each area with ONE day between specific times upon which they can water with a sprinkler:
Monday - Valleycliffe, Hospital Hill, Sea and Sky
Tuesday - Downtown
Wednesday - Dentville, Business Park, North Yards
Thursday - Loggers Lane East, University Heights
Friday - Garibaldi Highlands
Saturday - Garibaldi Estates
Sunday - Brackendale
Even addresses: 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Odd addresses: 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
"This year we have moved to Stage 2 one month later than previous years! Thank you Squamish for your continued efforts and support in being waterwise," said the District in a social media post.
Learn more at squamish.ca/water.
Britannia Beach and Furry Creek water restrictions
Watering restrictions 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.
Be wildfire smart
**Important Reminder: A complete campfire ban is in effect across our region due to heightened wildfire risk this summer season.
Currently, on Aug. 20, the fire danger rating in our region is 3, or moderate.
According to the provincial wildfire service, a moderate danger rating means that "forest fuels are drying and there is an increased risk of surface fires starting. Carry out any forest activities with caution."
The BC Wildfire Service notes that over the three long weekends of this summer, the Wildfire Prevention Ambassador Program, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation) Land Guardians, and Natural Resource Officers are activating an information kiosk at the entrance to the Upper Squamish Valley Forest Service Road.
Representatives will be sharing messages about safe use of open fire, campfire prohibitions, how to report suspected illegal activities, and more.
"The BC Wildfire Service Fire Wardens and Squamish Nation Land Guardians will increase patrols in the Valley for prevention, detection, and reporting of wildfires and illegal activities," the post reads. "The Conservation Officer Service will also be deployed for environmental compliance and enforcement, shared stewardship and public safety."
They were out over B.C. Day long weekend and will be out in force from Friday, Aug. 29 to Sunday, Aug. 31.
Conservation Officers Service crews have also been actively patrolling for illegal campfires and ticketed multiple people last weekend.
Auditors checking totes
The District has alerted folks who receive curbside collection for your garbage, organics and recycling that they may see auditors checking their recycling totes through the summer.
"Their goal is to identify misplaced materials and provide feedback to residents by leaving a feedback tag on your tote," reads the District post to its social media.
The muni says questions can be directed via email to [email protected].
If you are not sure where an item goes, check the Waste Wizard at squamish.ca/wastewizard.
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).
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