Good Tuesday to you, Squamish!
It is one day to Christmas, for those who partake.
Here's a festive joke for you, kid-approved, from :
What falls but never gets hurt?
Snow!
You are welcome.
Now on to the weather.
We won't be getting any of that falling white stuff today or on Christmas Day, but it may be stormy!
has issued a special weather statement for Howe Sound and parts of Vancouver Island for the rest of this week.
We can expect it to be stormy鈥攎eaning rain and wind for Squamish.
Today, we can expect rain totalling between 10 to 15 mm. The wind will blow from the south 20 km/h, except gusting to 50 over southern sections.
Temperatures will reach a high of 5 C both during the day and overnight.
Avalanche Forecast
According to , for Dec. 24, the alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is low.
Known problems include .
As we saw yesterday with the avalanche near Pemberton, where five heli-skiers had to be rescued after being caught in an avalanche, it can be a dangerous time out there.
What does "considerable" risk mean?
"Considerable is the third of five levels on the avalanche danger scale. Under considerable danger, natural avalanches are possible and human-triggered ones are likely. Avalanche conditions are considered dangerous and careful snowpack evaluation, cautious route-finding and conservative decision making is essential," reads the Avalanche Canada definition.
The advice for today from avalog.co is:
- As the storm slab problem worsens, the easy solution is to choose more conservative terrain.
- Be alert to conditions that change with elevation, aspect, and exposure to wind.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeper layers resulting in large avalanches.
B.C. extremes
Yesterday's hot spot in all of B.C. was Point Atkinson, which hit 16 C, according to data.
It was the hot spot in Canada, too!
(The high in 麻豆社国产yesterday was 7.6 C.)
The coldest spot in B.C. on Dec. 23 was Fort Nelson, which was a chilly -19. C. (!!)
Today's hot spot is slated to be Point Atkinson again, which could reach 13.7 C.
It is also slated to be the hot spot in all of Canada!
The coldest spot in the province is slated to be Fort Nelson (again), which could see a low of -17.9 C.
Sunrise & sunset
on Dec. 24 is at 8:09 a.m. Sunset today will be at 4:17 p.m. (Nice to be getting a little more daylight now!)
Moon phase
The moon is in its last quarter phase.
The moon's illumination is currently 34.41%.
It is currently located in the constellation of Pisces, according to
Moonrise is at 1:49 a.m.; moonset is at 12:30 p.m.
Tides
The next high tide today is at 12:11 p.m. (height: 4.43 metres), according to .
The next low tide will be at 7:41 p.m. (1.98 m).
Seawater temp
According to, the water temperature in Howe Sound today is 8.2 C.
Based on historical data over a period of 10 years, the warmest water on this day in Howe Sound was recorded in 2018 and was 7.6 C, and the coldest was recorded in 2022 at 6.1 C.
Seawater temperature in Howe Sound is expected to drop to 6.4 C in the next 10 days
December's average water temperature in Howe Sound is 7.2 C, the minimum temperature is 5.1 C, and the maximum is 8.9 C.
Events to note
There's always something going on in this town.
Today, at Brennan Park Recreation Centre arena, there will be Red & Green Public Skate.
"Show off your best red and green holiday outfit at our Red & Green Public Skate on Tuesday, Dec. 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Celebrate the season while skating and socializing with friends," reads the District listing.
Here's what else caught our eye:
Dec. 25, it is the 2nd Annual FREE Holiday Cereal Breakfast event at Trickster's Hideout, located at 38005 Cleveland Ave., from 9 to 5 p.m.
"We鈥檙e excited to bring the community together for a day of fun, relaxation, and holiday spirit. Enjoy a free cereal breakfast and holiday-themed movies playing all day long. Whether you鈥檙e with family, friends, or on your own, this event is open to everyone鈥攃ome celebrate the season in a cozy, welcoming space," reads the listing.
Dec. 28, there's a Board Game Meetup at Arrow Wood Games, located at 38157 2 Ave., from 7 to 10:30 p.m.
"Join Arrow Wood Games for an evening of fun, games and social connections. The event host will carefully select the perfect games for the group while fostering a fun and positive environment. No prior game knowledge or experience is necessary," reads the listing.
There are many more events coming up; go to our online events calendar to see them all! Want a possible shout-out in our daily report? Load your event into our free calendar by clicking "Create an event."
Curb-side tote collection change
The District of 麻豆社国产notes that local residents who receive regular collection days on Christmas Day, Dec. 25 (recycling and organics) and New Year's Day, Jan. 1 (garbage) will receive rescheduled pickup on Saturday, Dec. 28 (recycling and organics) and Saturday, Jan. 4 (garbage).
Change is bus service
The District of 麻豆社国产reminds residents that the bus schedule will change over the holiday season.
BC Transit will be running the following modified hours over the holiday period:
鈫� Dec. 25 & 26: Sunday Service.
鈫� Dec.31: There will be extended weekday service on New Year鈥檚 Eve. The buses will be free after 8 p.m.
鈫� Jan. 1: Sunday Service.
For the full schedule, go to:
Christmas tree safety
If you put up a real Christmas tree, the offer the following tips to ensure you trim the tree safely this holiday season:
鈥nsure it is one metre from any sources of heat.
鈥heck all light strings for signs of wear or damage, and always turn lights off before leaving the house or going to bed.
鈥ever use lit candles on a tree.
鈥ater it daily to ensure it does not dry out.
Winter tires
Don't forget, since Oct. 1, winter tires or chains are required on the Sea to Sky Highway. It is the law.
"On B.C. roads and highways where winter tires are required, passenger vehicles and light trucks need to use tires that have the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or 'M+S' on the sidewall. This applies to two-wheel, all-wheel, and four-wheel drive vehicles. The tires need to be in good condition and have a tread depth of at least 3.5 mm (5/32鈥�)," reads the site.
"Designated winter tires are your best option for staying safe in winter conditions. We recommend using a set of four matched winter tires with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol."
The tires must stay on through to March 31. Not having proper winter tires or chains can earn drivers a fine of $121.
Driving issues to note:
鈥� Parking on select streets in 麻豆社国产is now restricted to one side only until March 1, 2025.
"This ensures snow plows and emergency vehicles can safely navigate during winter conditions," says the District.
"Vehicles parking on the No Parking side of the street may be ticketed and towed at any time to ensure community safety. The fine for impeding snow removal is $250."
Affected streets:
- Hemlock Avenue - Cedar Drive to Spruce Drive
- Chestnut Avenue - Cedar Drive to Spruce Drive
- Fir Street - Pine Drive to Spruce Dr.
- Third Avenue - Pemberton Avenue to Winnipeg Street (No parking on East side); Pemberton Avenue to Vancouver Street (No parking on West side)
- Fourth Avenue - Winnipeg Street to Main Street (No parking on West side)
- Fifth Avenue - Winnipeg Street to Main Street. (No parking on West side)
- Sixth Avenue - Entire street. (No parking on West side)
- Eaglewind Boulevard - No perimeter parking near the roundabout at the end of Pemberton Avenue
- Edgewater Drive - Government Road to Edgewater Crescent (No parking on East side)
- Edgewater Crescent - Entire street. (No parking on the outside perimeter of the Crescent)
- No Name Road - Entire street. (No parking on East side)
- Brothers Place - Entire street. (No parking on South side)
- Britannia Avenue - Magee Street to Buckley Avenue. (No parking on East side)
- Harris Road - Government Road to cul-de-sac (No parking on South side)
- Hope Road - Depot Road to Axen Road (No parking on East side)
- Diamond Road- Tantalus Road to Garibaldi Way. No parking on North side.
- Diamond Head Road - Garibaldi Way to Mamquam Road- No parking on West side.
- Glacier View Drive - Entire street. No parking on the outside perimeter.
To find out more, go to: .
Issues to note on the highway
鈥擜ccording to , again today, on Highway 99, in both directions, maintenance work is planned between Exit 3: Horseshoe Bay Junction and Alpha Lake Rd for 94.3 km (West Vancouver to Whistler). Work ends Tuesday, Dec. 24, at 5:30 p.m.
Gas prices
In Squamish, regular gas is going for 165.9 cents per litre at most 麻豆社国产stations.
In Whistler, fill up for 165.9/L at most stations.
According to , one of the least expensive places for gas today in B.C. is Kimberley (long Highway 95A between the Purcell and Rocky Mountains), where you can fill up for 144.9/L at the Centex, at 521 Wallinger Ave.
The cheapest you will pay for gas in Vancouver is /L at the Chevron at 5252 Victoria Dr.
