Winter

White, wet and windy start to the week in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - On the heels of a snow-filled Sunday, a mix of rain and snow will kick off the new week in Kamloops, along with strong winds. Environment Canada recorded 17.6 millimetres of precipitation at the airport, much of that rain, over the weekend, though higher elevations around the city received both more snow and...

Alpine ski season begins with opening of Big White, others not far behind
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Big White Ski Resort has officially opened for alpine skiing and several other local ski hills aren’t far behind. Big White opened today, Nov. 13, about two weeks ahead of schedule for alpine skiing, while Silver Star Mountain opened for nordic skiing yesterday and Sun Peaks Resort welcomed ski teams for alpine training...

Rainy weekend ahead for Kamloops as avalanche risk increases in southeastern B.C.
KAMLOOPS - The strong winds that hit the city yesterday will die down but then the rain will come this weekend in Kamloops. Over the past 24 hours Environment Canada has recorded wind speed gusts in the 40 to 60 kilometres per hour range nearly every hour at the airport, but those winds will finally...

Storm moving over Southern Interior today
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A powerful storm bringing strong winds and heavy rain or snow is set to hit the Southern Interior by this evening. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the South Thompson and South Okanagan, as well as several area highways, warning the storm will hit the Central Interior this afternoon, Nov....

First snow falling on Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - While higher elevations and local snow hills have already seen the white stuff this season, Kamloops is getting its first taste of snow this morning. Residents in the higher parts of town woke to snow already on the ground this morning, Nov. 5, and it didn't take long for flurries to fall at...

Silver Star in good shape for opening thanks to dump of snow
VERNON - Silver Star will open up trails for nordic skiing, fat biking and snowshoeing in a week thanks to plentiful snowfall on the mountain. With a 29 centimetre dump of snow last weekend, groomers have been able to prepare a number of trails, the resort said in a media release. With more snowfall in...

First snowflakes fall on Vernon and area
NORTH OKANAGAN - Fall colours are really popping against a contrast of white this morning around parts of the North Okanagan. There are reports that the first snow has fallen around areas of Vernon, Lumby and Cherryville today, Nov. 5. The Kamloops area is also getting its first taste of winter this morning. Environment Canada...

Chance of snow in the Okanagan this week
OKANAGAN - A system moving through the Southern Interior coated mountain passes in heavy snow this weekend and early this week the white stuff could hit the valleys too. Between 14 and 17 centimetres of snow is being reported on the ground at Pennask Summit, Coquihalla Summit and Allison Pass this morning after receiving a...

Rude awakening for North Okanagan town; winter is back
VERNON - After temperatures soared into the mid 20s this week in the North Okanagan, Cherryville woke up to a cruel surprise this morning: a dump of snow. Residents say about two inches of the white stuff fell overnight, blanketing patio furniture, previously green fields, and porches. Lindsay Myers sent us several pictures of her...

Snow Angels shovelling for seniors
KAMLOOPS - A program aimed at helping seniors with snow removal is in desperate need of volunteers after the heavy snow that fell on the city Wednesday. Rachel Verity with OnCore Central Services says they have been inundated with calls from seniors looking for help today. “We’ve had quite the flow of calls today,” Verity...

Curbside garbage and recycling collection likely delayed by heavy snow
KELOWNA – The heavy snowfall may create delays for curbside garbage and recycling collection in the Central Okanagan. The contractor, OK Environmental Waste Systems, is making every effort to follow the regular collection schedule, according to a media release from the Regional Waste Reduction Office. “But depending on the road conditions and access (the contractor)...

COSAR tips for back country travel
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – With the risk of avalanche slowly increasing over the last week in the regions surrounding the Thompson-Okanagan, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue have some tips to help keep you safe in the back country. Avalanche.ca reports the risk of avalanche to be “considerable” in the Kootenay Boundary and South and North Columbia regions....
SPCA offers pet advice for cold weather and Christmas
PENTICTON - As Penticton experiences its second cold snap of the season, the Penticton SPCA offers some words of advice for animal lovers. “Bring animals in from the cold,” is some simple advice Corinne Ross, Branch Manager for the Penticton SPCA, offers. “It depends on the dog, as to how much cold they can experience,...

Cross country skiing off to a late start in Vernon
VERNON - Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre is all set for this year’s cross country ski season—the only thing missing is snow. Don Wylie, the centre’s interim general manager, says the facility would normally be open by now. “It’s a little unusual,” Wylie says. “We’re just playing it day by day.” The tentative opening date was...

City wants your help when the snow flies
KELOWNA – Don’t leave you vehicle parked on the street once the snow starts falling in Kelowna, that way city crews can do a better job of plowing and sanding. That’s the word the City of Kelowna is trying to spread in advance of the snowfall forecast for Friday. Environment Canada is calling for flurries Friday...