More snow for the Okanagan before sunshine returns on weekend

There's sunshine in the Okanagan forecast for Sunday but more snow is expected before blue skies return.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says the South Okanagan didn’t see quite as much snow as was predicted yesterday, Feb. 5, but the valley in general can expect to see more snow between now and Saturday.

The snow should taper off with a dry trend to follow. Starting Sunday, a much drier pattern will move in with temperatures picking up through Wednesday next week,” he says.

The Okanagan could see three to 12 more centimetres of snow fall between now and Saturday when the precipitation should come to an end.

Lundquist says predictions of another Arctic air outbreak later in the week are diminishing but colder weather is still a possibility.

“Be aware of driving conditions over the next few days, and check with DriveBC before heading out on the mountain passes,” Lundquist says.

For today, Feb. 6, in the Okanagan, the periods of snow could be mixed with rain in Kelowna with up to two cm of snow expected. Today’s high should reach 1 C with a low of -1.

There could be another five cm of snow in Kelowna before tapering off to a 40 per cent chance of flurries later tonight.

In Vernon, there is a 40 per cent chance of flurries today with periods of light snow beginning later this afternoon. Today’s high should reach 0 C. Up to two cm of  snow is expected through midnight, followed by a 40 per cent chance of flurries and a low of -2 C.

In Penticton, snow this morning is expected to change to rain by afternoon with up to two cm expected. Today’s high is expected to reach 2 C. Up to five cm of snow is expected over higher terrain overnight as a rain-snow mix turns to snow near midnight. Penticton’s overnight low is expected to reach – 1 C.

Friday is expected to be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of morning flurries in Kelowna and Vernon. 

Snow beginning around noon could result in another five cm accumulation with a high of 2 C and a low of -1 C expected.

In Penticton, a 40 per cent chance of morning flurries should give way to rain mixed with snow around noon with winds at 30 km/h gusting to 50 in the afternoon. Friday’s high should reach 3 C with a low of -1 C.

Periods of snow are expected through Saturday with a high reaching 0 C. Clearing skies overnight should see temperatures dip to a low of -7 C.

The sun returns Sunday with a high of 1 C and a low of -4 C expected.

Cloudy skies are anticipated Monday with a high of 4 C and a low of -3 C. There is a 40 per cent chance of flurries Monday night.

More cloudy skies are in store Tuesday and Wednesday, with highs of 3 C both days.

The Okanagan’s normal high and low temperature at this time of year is 0 C and -6 C.

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