Wet, windy end to fall in the Okanagan

KELOWNA – A wet and windy day is in store for the Okanagan Valley on this last day of fall.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says the best travel day for motorists heading for the coast between now and Christmas appears to be tomorrow, Dec. 21, as another weather system is making it’s way towards the Interior for Saturday, and another expected on Monday. 

Special weather statements advising of high winds today, Dec. 20, are in effect for the South Thompson and Okanagan, with snowfall and winter storm warnings on upper elevation highways.

“We’re into an active weather pattern right now,” Lundquist says, adding chances of a white Christmas in the valley bottom is still iffy, but those living at higher elevations may see some snow on the ground by Christmas Day.

Residents in the Okanagan can expect periods of rain this morning before cloudy conditions prevail with a 40 per cent chance of showers and south winds at 20 km/h gusting to 50, increasing to 80 early this afternoon, with a high of 5 Celsius holding steady through the day.

Tonight, a 40 per cent chance of showers continues, with periods of rain mixed with wet snow beginning near midnight. South winds at 50 km/h gusting to 80 will diminish to 20 km/h gusting to 40 this evening, with a low of 1 C.

Tomorrow should be cloudy, with a 40 per cent chance of rain showers or wet flurries in the morning followed by a mix of sun and cloud. Winds will be from the south at 20 km/h gusting to 40, becoming light in the morning, with a high of 3 C.

The forecast calls for periods of snow on Saturday with a high of -1 C and a low of -2 C.

Sunday there is a chance of snow or rain with a high of 1 C.

For Christmas Eve on Monday, expect more clouds, a 60 per cent chance of flurries, a high of 1 C and a low of -3 C.

Normal temperatures at this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of around -2 C and lows of about -8 C.

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