UPDATE: Slow down on the highway and watch your step; freezing rain warning issued

WARNING ENDED FOR CENTRAL OKANAGAN

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Ice is building up on highways, city streets and sidewalks thanks to freezing rain in parts of the Thompson-Okanagan region Saturday.

Environment Canada has continued a freezing rain warning for the South Thompson including Kamloops, the Nicola including Merritt, the Shuswap including Salmon Arm, and the North Okanagan including Vernon.

The warning has been ended for Kelowna and the Central Okanagan as of 12:33 p.m.

Mild and moist air is moving from the South Coast mountains into the B.C. Interior Saturday is combing with sub-freezing surface temperatures throughout most valleys which is producing the freezing rain, according to Environment Canada’s meteorologist. Some areas could get foggy as well.

Forecasters says the upper disturbance should end Saturday afternoon as the freezing layer at higher elevations disappears.

Surfaces on highways, streets, walkways and parking lots are, or will become, icy, slippery and hazardous, according to the warnings still in effect. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas.

The temperature will remain steady around the freezing mark through Sunday with clouds and flurries in the forecast. By Monday, expect clouds and a high around +3 C with rain Tuesday and Wednesday when the high reaches +7 C.

For the very latest forecasts and warnings from Environment Canada go to the website at www.weatheroffice.gc.ca.

For the latest on highway conditions, check on Drive B.C. at www.drivebc.ca.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 12:41 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014 to included the warning ending for the Central Okanagan.