Snowfall accumulating on Okanagan Connector, cold Halloween in the forecast

Close to 15 centimetres of snow has fallen on the Okanagan Connector, and more is expected over the next 24 hours.

A weather statement was issued Thursday morning by Environment Canada, warning of snowfall accumulating on the highway between Kelowna and Merritt, and the wet cool weather has not helped with the road conditions.

Speaking with Vernon Matters, Environment Canada Meteorologist Doug Lundquist said as of noon Thursday, there was 13 centimetres of snow accumulation at the Great Bear Snow Shed and 16 centimetres at the Pennask Summit.

“It’s just a snow event on the high terrain. You can probably see it around the mountains, I saw here just a few minutes ago when I looked to the mountains around Kelowna it looked white between the clouds,” said Lundquist.

He noted that the temperature had risen above zero in the mountains around noon, but the temperature is expected to drop again overnight, bringing with it another five centimetres of high elevation flurries.

“So it’s not really over until about 24 hours from now, and especially at Pennask Summit where the temperature is still hovering around zero.”

Lundquist goes on to advise people travelling along the highway to be cautious, ensure they’re vehicles are equipped with snow tires, and to slow down and drive for the conditions. Environment Canada also advises commuters to check road conditions at DriveBC’s website.

He noted that Thursday afternoon would likely see a mix of snow and rain at the summit, but lower elevations will see mostly rain and the roads should be safer to travel.

Lundquist added this wet weather is expected to pass after Friday, but while the upcoming weekend will be mainly sunny, it will have below average temperatures.

“We’ll have highs probably in the five to seven degree range with frosting overnight, especially in the valleys away from the lake.”

He added that though it will be cool, snow is not expected to fall in the valley.

Lundquist also stated that it should be a mostly dry weekend but still cold, and advises people to bundle up when going out trick-or-treating for Halloween Sunday.

He also noted that though the weekend will have below average temperatures, this cold snap won’t last long, and the mercury is expected to be back to seasonal average of about eight degrees next week.