Expect snow if heading into Southern Interior mountain passes today

Up to 10 centimetres of snow has fallen on some mountain passes overnight and another two to five centimetres are expected by noon today, May 13.

The highest accumulations have been near the Coquihalla Summit and Kootenay Pass.

“Snow will continue this morning over the Southern Interior mountain passes as a trough of low pressure moves across B.C.,” states a special weather statement issued by Environment Canada at  5:31 a.m. today. “Snow levels will remain close to 1000 metres until the snow tapers off near noon. Occasionally heavy snow may reduce visibility. Be prepared for winter driving conditions.”

The statement covers the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops, the Okanagan Connector, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton and from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Weather forecasts by Environment Canada for Kamloops and Kelowna say the snow level is down to 700 metres this morning and won’t rise to 1,100 metres until near noon.

Highs today are forecast at 15 Celsius in Kamloops and 14 C in Kelowna. Normal highs for this time of year are 21 C in Kamloops and 19 C in the Okanagan.

There is a 30% chance of showers in Kamloops today, 40% on Saturday and 60% on Sunday.

The forecast is for dryer weather in the Okanagan with a few showers today, mainly cloudy Saturday but periods of rain on Sunday.

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