With temperatures above seasonal normals, the snow continues to melt throughout the Okanagan.
(CHARLOTTE HELSTON / iNFOnews.ca)
January 29, 2016 - 8:30 AM
OKANAGAN - The snow is almost gone already and the mild weather is set to continue in the Okanagan this weekend, though we can expect temperatures to drop a bit closer to seasonal normals this weekend.
Environment Canada is calling for a high of just 3 Celsius in Kelowna and Vernon and 5 C in Penticton today, Jan. 29, and while that is quite a bit below yesterday, it is still above our seasonal normal high of 1 C. Highs are expected to reach the 3 to 4 C range Saturday through Monday while lows are expected to hit at or just below 0 C, also above seasonal normal lows of -5 C.
Along with the warmer temperatures comes mostly cloudy skies this weekend, along with at least a chance of showers or flurries Friday and Saturday. The snow level is expected to rise to about 600 to 700 metres during the day, but drop back down to the valley bottom overnight.
Conditions will be similar up at the ski hills this weekend, with a mix of sun and cloud throughout the weekend along with at least a chance of flurries today and tomorrow at both Silver Star Mountain and Big White. Daytime highs are expected to hit -4 C to -6 C through the weekend at both ski hills as well.
If you are hitting the highways watch for a mix of compact snow, slushy sections and slippery sections along with water pooling and some fog on most Interior highways. Drive B.C. also warns of debris and potholes on Highway 5 south of the Great Bear Snowshed.
For those looking to enjoy the backcountry this weekend expect moderate to considerable avalanche risk at all Interior ranges this weekend, according to Avalanche Canada.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call2 50-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2016