Okanagan spared worst of forecast snowstorm
Milder winter weather on the way, says Environment Canada
Milder weather is on the way for the Okanagan this weekend and next week. Much of the Okanagan did not get as much snow as predicted Thursday, because the storm was 50 to 100 kilometres farther south than originally anticipated, said Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist.
As of Thursday afternoon, Environment Canada was predicting the South Okanagan would receive 10 to 15 centimetres of snow, while the Central Okanagan was expected to receive around 10 centimetres of snow.
“Across the border in the States towards Omak and Wenatchee is probably seeing the heaviest amount of snow,” Lundquist said Thursday afternoon.
Next week will see a milder pattern of above-zero temperatures and melting, said Lundquist.
“Before that happens, there’s always a risk of a bit more snow on the weekend and the chance of freezing rain.”
Today’s forecast high in Kelowna is -3 C with a 40 per cent chance of flurries in the afternoon, and an overnight low of -2 C with a 60 per cent chance of flurries, according to Environment Canada.
The record high in Kelowna for Jan. 12 was 10.6 C in 1945, 1953 and 1959.
The record low was -25.6 C in 1950, and the greatest snowfall was 12.7 centimetres in 1904.
Snowfall warnings remained in effect Thursday for Highway 3 between Hope and Princeton, the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt, the southern Okanagan and the Boundary regions.