iN TRAFFIC: British Columbians are getting winter storms for Christmas
Winter storm warnings still in effect for much of Southern B.C. and travel is not recommended on a 50-kilometre stretch of the TransCan.
One storm warning is in effect for the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt, and on Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass – where up to 30 centimetres of snow can be expected for the coastal passes this morning thru tonight. Other warnings apply to the North Okanagan, Shuswap, Similkameen and East Columbia – where up to 15 cm can be expected over the course of the day.
“The precipitation will ease by midnight tonight before another system arrives early Sunday,” according to Environment Canada. “This second system will give a mix of snow, rain, and risk of freezing rain. This will continue to make travel challenging on Christmas day.”
DriveB.C. says travelling on Highway 1 between Spences Bridge and Jackass Mountain is not recommended unless essential.
“Heavy snow and freezing rain developing through the region,” according to the travel advisory.
DriveB.C. is also reporting Highway 5 has compact snow between the Great Bear Snowshed and Kamloops; Highway 3 has slippery sections between Princeton and the Curzon Junction; and Highways 97C and 97D have compact snow throughout.
Today's weather is going to seem warm compared to the bitterly-cold temperatures earlier in the week. Temperatures in Kamloops will be warming from -9 Celsius to -5 C throughout the day. Vernon will rise from -11 C to -7, Kelowna will warm from -10 C to -6 C, and Penticton will go from -8 C to -4 C. There will be periods of snow all day in the region, and people in the South Okanagan can expect ice pellets to be mixed in with their flurries beginning at 3 p.m.
At the ski hills, Big White Mountain Resort is reporting 5 cm of new snow and 33 cm over the past week. There has been 4 cm at Sun Peaks Ski Resort over the two days and 6 cm in the past week; SilverStar Mountain Resort last got 8 cm on Dec. 20 and is expecting another 8 cm today; and Apex Mountain Resort is reporting 10 cm of snow in the past 24 hours and 30 cm since last week.
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