UPDATE: Buses running in School District 53, late in Penticton, no buses in Summerland

PENTICTON – In case you weren’t aware, the snow has been piling up outside.

Heavy snow yesterday and last night has covered the region.  School District 67 reports Penticton buses are running, but they will be late, while Summerland buses will not run this morning. The Summerland bus situation will be reassessed later today.

School District 53 is running buses to all schools except in Keremeos, Cawston and the Turtle Run in Willowbrook, according to an update on its website.

Berry and Smith Trucking, the contractor for district 67 school buses, could not confirm by 7:30 a.m. whether buses would run or not. District 67 School Superintendent Wendy Hyer said she was at home and “did not wish to speak to media” then abruptly hung up the phone.

School board Chair Linda Van Alphen is sick and could not be contacted.

We will have more information as soon as it becomes available. Schools are closed in Vernon, Kamloops and Kelowna.

A winter storm warning remains in effect for much of the Southern Interior, including Penticton, and another 5 to 15 centimetres of snow is expected with the system later today. Warming temperatures could lead to freezing rain developing Tuesday as well.

Environment Canada recommends you consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Steve Arstad at sarstad@infonews.ca or call 250-488-3065. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 8:09 a.m., Jan. 5, 2015 with information about School District 53.

– This story was update at 8:22 with information about School District 67