The New Year is expected to get off to a stormy start in the Okanagan, Shuswap and South Thompson as a strong Pacific storm makes its way to the B.C. interior.

Environment Canada says the storm is expected to impact the British Columbia interior with snow, beginning this evening.

A special weather statement has been issued for the South Thompson,the Shuswap, North Thompson and Central and North Okanagan, including Vernon and Kelowna, while a special weather statement continues for the Trans Canada Highway, Eagle to Rogers Pass this morning.

No weather statement has been issued for Penticton or the South Okanagan.

Snow is expected to be widespread overnight. A shift in the storm track northwards Friday morning should end the snow in the Okanagan and South Thompson regions.

There is also a chance of freezing rain Friday morning as the storm moves north.

Highest snowfall amounts are expected to fall in central and northern interior portions of the province.

There is also a chance of freezing rain for the central interior on Friday morning.

The storm is expected to bring heavy rain to parts of the B.C. coast, including the Fraser Valley and sections of Metro Vancouver.

The latest updates on all weather statements can be found here.

To plan your route ahead of time and get latest travel information, visit DriveBC.

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