February cold on track to set new record in Kelowna

KELOWNA – Winter refuses to release its icy grip on the Okanagan this week

Environment Canada meteorologist Carmen Hart says if current weather pattern continues, February could turn out to be the coldest February on record in Kelowna, breaking the mark set in 1969.

The long term forecast for the rest of the month calls for continued cold temperatures, Hart says, as the Okanagan remains entrenched in a pool of arctic air that has gripped much of the country since the beginning of February.

Hart says to expect two to four centimetres of snow today, Feb. 19, with a high of -3 and a wind chill of -8 C. More snow is anticipated overnight, with an additional two to four cm predicted. The South Okanagan may see lesser amounts of snow. The temperature is forecast to drop to -5 C overnight, with the a 15 km/h wind, the wind chill will be -9 C.

There is a 40 per cent chance of flurries tomorrow with a high reaching 0 C.

Skies are expected to clear Thursday with a high of -1 C.

Friday it’s back to periods of snow with a daytime high of -2 C and an overnight low of -5 C. More snow is forecast for Saturday with a high reaching 0 C.

Hart says it’s not clear exactly how much snow to expect on Friday and Saturday, but predictions are for an additional five cm.

Normal temperatures at this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of 3 C and lows of -5 C.

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