Okanagan residents and Coquihalla commuters to get hit with heavy blast of winter
Winter is making a big comeback following a relatively balmy weekend.
Environment Canada has issued alerts and warnings that cover much of the interior and mountain passes.
The Central and North Okanagan along with the Similkameen are expected to get hit with a heavy blast of snow today.
Environment Canada said for Vernon and Kelowna areas, 15 to 25 centimetres of snow is expected with an approaching Pacific warm front.
Total accumulations of near 15 cm are expected with local amounts up to 25 cm possible near West Kelowna and Westbank.
In the Similkameen, conditions are forecast to be hazardous with an approaching Pacific warm front giving way to heavy snowfall beginning this morning.
Accumulations of 10 cm are expected during the day followed by an additional two cm early this evening.
“As warm Pacific air aloft progresses inland while cold air remains trapped near the surface, freezing rain will develop by early evening Monday and persist for several hours before ending overnight,” Environment Canada reported.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break.”
There’s also a storm watch issued for the Trans-Canada Highway, from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.
“At this time accumulations are expected to reach 25 cm over a 24 hour period. The snow is forecast to end Wednesday morning.”
The Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna are expected to get some difficult driving conditions.
An approaching Pacific warm front will give heavier snowfall beginning this morning. The snow will also spread further inland to impact the Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna and Highway 3, Allison Pass between Hope and Princeton.
Accumulations of 10 to 15 cm are expected today and an additional 10 to 20 cm is likely tonight. Then freezing rain may follow.
Road conditions are available at DriveBC.
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