Freezing rain, winter storm warnings for BC Interior mountain passes

A freezing rain warning was issued early this morning for the Okanagan Connecter and a winter storm warning for Highway 1.

A heavy rain statement was also issued by Environment Canada for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt.

“Heavy rain will ease to showers this afternoon,” the statement says. “Total rainfall amounts of 60 to 80 mm are expected, which will increase the risk of local flooding and landslides.”

Only showers are expected on the Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Kamloops.

“Warm air aloft combined with below zero surface temperatures will result in the risk of freezing rain this morning,” the warning for the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to West Kelowna says. “As temperatures gradually rise to above zero this morning, freezing rain will change to rain.”

Afternoon showers could turn into snow flurries late this evening on the Connector with the snow level dropping to 1500 metres overnight.

“A stalled frontal system will continue to give snow today and tonight,” the winter storm warning says for Highway 1 from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass. “Further snowfall accumulations of 10 to 20 cm is expected by Wednesday morning.”

There is a 60% chance of showers in Kamloops this morning, clearing to a mix of sun and clouds through Friday. A high temperature of 8 Celsius is expected today, dropping to 2 C tomorrow and -1 C on Thursday.

A 60% chance of showers in the Okanagan today will turn to rain on Wednesday, some clearing on Thursday then a 60% chance of snow flurries Thursday night and into the weekend.

High temperatures are expected to be 6 C in the Okanagan today, dropping to 2 C by Thursday with overnight lows below freezing.

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