Relief from the bitter cold coming this weekend in the Okanagan

The Okanagan can expect a couple more days of double digit low temperatures before the mercury begins to rise this weekend.

"It's going to warm up, but not before another period of snow on Friday evening and Saturday, when two to five cm could fall," Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says.

Lundquist says the "big push" towards warming will begin on Sunday with temperatures in the 0 Celsius range expected into next week.

Today, Jan. 16, is expected to be cloudy in Kelowna and Vernon, with flurries this morning and a 60 per cent chance of flurries this afternoon.

Kelowna and Vernon could see two to four cm of snow along with 15 km/h winds and a high to -10 Celsius.

Windchills in the Kelowna area are expected from -14 C to -24 C.

A snowfall warning in Penticton ended this morning but this afternoon should see a 60 per cent chance of flurries continue with an additional two to four cm expected.

Penticton’s high should reach -4 C with windchills from -18 C to -9 C through the day.

Tonight should be mainly cloudy with 15 km/h winds and a low to -12 C in Vernon and Kelowna, and -8 C in Penticton.

Friday should see mainly cloudy skies and a high of -8 C in Kelowna with periods of snow expected overnight. Friday’s low should reach -12 C.

Periods of snow are expected to continue into Saturday with a high of -5 C and a low of -6 C.

Sunday should see cloudy skies and a high of -2 C with an overnight low dipping to -3 C.

Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing on Monday, with a high of 1 C and a low of -1 C, accompanied by a 30 per cent chance of flurries during the day and into Monday night.

There is a 40 per cent chance of flurries or possible rain showers Tuesday with a high of 2 C.

Normal temperatures at this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of -2 C and lows of -8 C.

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