Walloped by white stuff
Thursday’s snowfall did not break any records, but it was a few weeks ahead of schedule. The first snowfall of the season hit the Okanagan Thursday afternoon, with 3 to 19 centimetres falling around Kelowna.
The Connector saw the most snow in the region with 54 cm.
“It was kind of your perfect storm,” said Matt MacDonald, meteorologist with Environment Canada.
“We had frigid Arctic air pushing down from the North and that collided with incoming moisture from the Pacific. It was the perfect set-up for heavy snowfall.”
Light flurries continued Friday, but only an additional centimetre of snow was predicted to fall.
“This is definitely two to three weeks ahead of schedule,” said MacDonald. “Typically the first snow in the valley bottom is in the middle to end of November. I think this is a harsh reminder that winter is on its way, if not here already, and if people don’t have their snow tires on yet, they should get them on as soon as possible.”
Last year, there were some traces of snow on Dec. 1, with the first real snow day recorded as Dec. 9, said MacDonald.
The earliest snowfall ever recorded in Kelowna was Oct. 4, 1903 with 2.5 cm of snow.
Flurries could continue Saturday in Kelowna with a 30 per cent chance late in the afternoon and a high of -2 C.
Tonight, Environment Canada is predicting a 60 per cent chance of flurries with a low of -3 C.
Sunday’s forecast high is -1 C with an overnight low of -8 C.
In Penticton, there is a 40 per cent chance of flurries this afternoon with a high of 1 C and a 60 per cent chance of flurries overnight with a low of -3 C.
Sunday’s forecast high is 1 C and an overnight low of -8 C.
“The cold air is here to stay until at least Tuesday,” said MacDonald.
Normal temperatures for this time of year are highs of 5 C and lows of -1 C.
Towards the middle of the week, temperatures are expected return to those typical November levels.
This winter is expected to be an El Nina season, which typically means a colder and snowier winter, said MacDonald, adding it is not a guarantee.
Around two dozen flights were canceled at the Kelowna Airport Thursday and Friday because of the weather, along with several delays.
On Thursday, there were 19 cancelations due to high winds and low visibility, said James Hall, operations manager.
“WestJet and Air Canada did put in some recovery flights this morning to help move some of the people that were stranded in Vancouver and Calgary,” Hall said on Friday.
Friday morning, there were six flight cancelations due to planes not being able to get into Kelowna Thursday night, and there were several flight delays t0hroughout the day.
Kelowna RCMP received a number of reports of crashes and vehicles in the ditch due to poor road conditions Friday, said Const. Lesley Smith.