Don’t bet on a white Christmas in Kamloops and the Okanagan

If you’re dreaming of a white Christmas in Kamloops and the Okanagan, wake up. 

Environment Canada’s forecasters aren’t optimistic about snow on the ground in Kamloops and the Okanagan, but it’s not entirely out of the question. 

“Probably an improving chance of a white Christmas for the Okanagan in general and a little bit less chance in the Kamloops area. But in general terms we’re not looking for anything that’s going to get an extensive sort of snowfall,” Environment Canada meteorologist Brian Proctor told iNFOnews.ca.

There’s a weather system in the U.S. that could bring a bit of snow to the South Okanagan by Christmas, but further north towards Kamloops it isn’t likely. 

“Some of the weather impulses that are coming into Washington state are just sort of brushing the southern areas of B.C.” Proctor said.

The forecast for most of the Okanagan is predicting daytimes highs dropping to -1 C by Monday and hovering around 0 C until Christmas. The daily low temperatures could be around -3 C and there’s a 40 per cent chance of precipitation early next week. It’s unclear whether it’s going to be snow or rain.

In Kamloops, the temperature is expected to hover around 0 C with highs of 2 C and lows around -3 C heading into next week. But there is a lower chance of precipitation around the area before Christmas. 

For people who are itching for some snow, ski hills and areas at higher elevation are probably going to be getting some more snow. 

Big White Ski Resort is expecting consistent snow for the next several days with around 3 to 5 centimetres falling each day.

Apex Mountain Resort is expecting a bit more snowfall with 20 cm of fresh snow over the next three days.

SilverStar Resort is expecting a bit of snow overnight with up to 8 cm on Sunday. 

Sun Peaks Resort doesn’t have any significant snow in the forecast, but it is expecting some flurries and periods of snow on Monday. 

Environment Canada is warning people travelling from the Interior to the Lower Mainland that the mountain pass highways likely won’t be a pleasant trip this weekend.

“The Coquihalla is probably going to be getting 10 cm to 15 cm almost every period right through to Saturday at this point in time,” Environment Canada’s Proctor said. “A little bit less on the Okanagan Connector and a little less around Kamloops as well.”

There’s snow in the forecast but Proctor said it might not feel like a white Christmas on the valley bottoms.

“We’re seeing snowfall, but in general terms, it’s not really looking particularly white, if I could put it that way,” he said.