Winter not done with us just yet
10 to 20 cm of snow forecast for Okanagan today, followed by cold snap
All of a sudden, it’s winter again in the Okanagan. “I know it’s been mild and dry lately, but that’s all changed,” Environment Canada meteorologist Lisa West told The Okanagan Weekend.
“We’re getting significant snowfall followed by a strong surge of arctic air this weekend.”
Friday’s flurries were just a taste of the snow dump expected today, with 10-15 centimetres of the white stuff forecast to blanket the valley floor and 20 cm at higher elevations.
Today’s temperature will be a relatively moderate -1 C.
However, once the blizzard eases tonight and early Sunday, an arctic blast will chill the region and the wind will pick up to blow around all the fresh powder.
“We really have two things happening,” said West.
“First we have this strong Pacific low-pressure system moving eastward across the province (today), bringing snow that will persist through (tonight). And then, just as the snow tapers off early Sunday, a ridge of high pressure from the Gulf of Alaska will sweep down British Columbia, bringing cold, strong winds and blowing snow.”
That same Alaskan surge will keep Sunday’s high temperature down to -3 C, and the mercury will plunge to a chilly -14 C overnight Sunday.
On Monday and Tuesday, as the arctic blast settles in, daytime high temperatures will reach only -5 C. Overnight, temperatures will dip to -12 C.
It’s all quite a change from the clear skies, sunny breaks and daytime highs above zero we had earlier this week.
This weekend’s low pressure-high pressure collision makes everything worse on the highways.
Travel advisories have been issued for the Okanagan Connector, Highway 97C, between Kelowna and Merritt.
There’s blowing and drifting snow, particularly around Pennask Summit, limited visibility, and compact snow and slippery sections.
The dire conditions continue on the Coquihalla, Highway 5, between Merritt and Hope, with heavy snowfall.
Going east, the Trans-Canada, Highway 1, has compact snow, slushy and slippery sections with blowing snow and limited visibility in some areas.
Check the latest conditions at DriveBC.ca.
The City of West Kelowna on Friday issued a release asking residents to park off the street during the next couple of days to help snowplow crews manage the expected heavy snowfall.