Temperature records broken throughout Okanagan on weekend, but not in a good way

OKANAGAN – Improving weather conditions are in the forecast for the Okanagan this week following a cold, wet weekend which saw temperature records broken and significant snow accumulations on local ski hills and mountain passes.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt MacDonald says coldest daily high-temperature records were broken up and down the valley on Sunday, Sept. 29.

Osoyoos reached only 8.3 C, shattering the previous coldest daily high-temperature record on Sept. 29 of 10.6 C, which was set in 1971.

Penticton broke the previous record of 10 C, also set in 1971, with a high of 9.7 C on Sunday, while Kelowna registered 10 C which broke the previous record of 10.6 C set in 1925.

Vernon reached a high of 8.8 C yesterday, breaking that city's old record for Sept. 29 of 9.4 C which was recorded in 1954.

MacDonald says local mountain passes received varying amounts of snow from 14 centimetres at the Pennask Summit to seven cm on the Coquihalla Summit. Even more snow fell on eastern passes in the southern Interior on the weekend, with the Paulson Pass picking up 45 cm and 35 cm falling on Kootenay Pass.

MacDonald says conditions should improve through the week, following a frosty night tonight. Gardeners are advised to harvest their plants, as tonight's low is expected to drop to 0 C in most locations in the Okanagan.

Wednesday could see another low pressure system bring the possibility of two to three cm of wet snow to local mountain passes.

In the Okanagan today, Sept. 30, expect mainly cloudy conditions with a 30 per cent chance of showers in Vernon. Skies should clear late in the afternoon with a high of 12 C and an overnight low of 0 C, along with patchy frost.

It should be mainly sunny tomorrow with a high of 15 C and a low of 3 C.

Clouds are expected Wednesday with a high of 14 C. Clouds continue into the evening with a 30 per cent chance of showers overnight.

Thursday should be cloudy with a high of 15 C and an overnight low of 5 C.

The Okanagan should see a mix of sun and cloud Friday, along with a high of 16 C. Cloudy periods are expected overnight with a low of 6 C.

A pleasant weekend is in the forecast with a mix of sun and cloud for Saturday and Sunday, along with nearly seasonal highs of 16 C and 17 C respectively.

Normal temperatures for this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of 18 C and lows of 5 C.

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