Snowfall in the Okanagan may turn to rain later in the week

There is no sun in the Okanagan forecast this week, with snow, rain and lots or grey skies right into next Monday.

Environment Canada meteorologist Bobby Sekhon says the Okanagan can expect to see two to five centimetres worth of accumulation of snow today, Feb. 4, although higher accumulations are expected in the North Okanagan.

That snow is expected to taper off to flurries this evening but return again tomorrow in a second round that could see an additional five cm fall. There is a risk of snow pellets tomorrow afternoon as well.

With a slight warming trend forecast for Thursday, Sekhon says more snow could fall in the morning before rain is predicted in the afternoon.

Motorists should be prepared for adverse driving conditions over the next few days as the temperature hovers in and around the freezing mark.

Around five cm of snow is expected in Vernon today, with two to four cm on the way for Kelowna and Penticton. The southerly wind of 20 km/h gusting to 40 this afternoon should become light this evening, with today’s high expected to reach -3 C in Vernon, and -2 C in Kelowna and Penticton.

Tonight’s low is expected at -5 C in Vernon and Kelowna, and – 3 C in Penticton. Windchills could of around -11 C are expected this afternoon and -13 C this evening.

Periods of snow are expected to continue into Wednesday, with up to 10 cm in Vernon and five cm expected in Kelowna, along with a high of -1 C. Wednesday’s low should dip to -2 C under cloudy skies with a 60 per cent chance of flurries.

Thursday could see periods of snow or rain with a high reaching 2 C. Snow is expected overnight with a low of -3 C.

Periods of rain are forecast for Friday with a high of 2 C, with more snow expected overnight and a low of -2 C.

Cloudy skies with a 30 per cent chance of rain or snow is predicted for Saturday with a high of 3 C. The clouds and 30 per cent possibility of showers remain overnight with a low of -5 C .

Sunday should see cloudy skies, a high of 3 C and a low of -5 C.

The clouds are expected to remain on Monday with a high of 3 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year in the Okanagan are highs of 0 C and lows of -6 C.

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