A DriveBC highway cam shows snow at Pennask Summit on Highway 97C, Sept. 15, 2021.
Image Credit: DriveBC
September 15, 2021 - 11:25 AM
As the Thompson-Okanagan emerges from a smoky summer, winter appears to be just around the corner with snow on mountain passes this morning.
Snow was forecast for elevations above 1,700 metres today, Sept. 15, and it arrived as foretold, reminding B.C. drivers that it's just about time to switch those tires.
Environment Canada meteorologist Nan Lu told iNFOnews.ca, Sept.12, that a cold front coming into the Southern Interior was expected to bring wet conditions.
Drivers on both Highway 97C between Merritt and Kelowna and Highway 5 between Merritt and Kamloops may have seen snow along the mountain passes this morning.
READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about B.C.'s winter tire rules
On Oct. 1, winter tire requirements come into effect for many B.C. highways and, depending on which mountain pass, will extend to either March 31 or April 30.
A legal winter tire must at a minimum display the "M and S" logo to travel on those passes, according to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation.
The ministry recommends the use of winter tires that have the "three peak mountain/snowflake" logo for the best traction in snowy and icy conditions.
Cooler conditions are expected to continue through the week in Kamloops and the Okanagan region, keeping temperatures below 20 Celsius, according to Environment Canada. Showers are expected in Kamloops and Okanagan cities on Friday night into Saturday.
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