UPDATE: Snowfall warning ended for Okanagan and South Thompson

FILE PHOTO

(ADAM PROSKIW / iNFOnews.ca)

Republished December 27, 2015 - 10:31 AM

Original Publication Date December 27, 2015 - 9:41 AM

ROADS AND HIGHWAYS IN WINTER DRIVING CONDITION

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A dump of snow overnight and this morning is making the busiest travel day of the year a challenge for drivers.

The snowfall warning issued by Environment Canada for the Thompson-Okanagan earlier this morning was ended at about 10:15 a.m., Dec. 27. Forecasters say significant snowfall is no longer expected today.

Over five centimetres of snow has fallen in valley bottoms throughout region since last night. Snowfall amounts vary depending on the location and elevation.

City crews are working overtime to keep up with the snow, focusing on major routes before they’ll have time to get to the side streets.

Highways in the valleys have winter driving conditions with the province’s maintenance contractors going full tilt to keep the routes passable. Drive B.C. is reporting winter driving conditions with compact snow and slippery sections throughout. Visibility can be reduced in heavy snow and blowing snow.

Forecasters are calling for 2 to 4 cm of snow in Vernon today with a high of about -3 Celsius. There is a 60 per cent chance of flurries in Kelowna with a high of -3 C. Kelowna has received about 5.3 cm at the airport of snow since last night. Environment Canada doesn’t report snowfall amounts for Vernon.

Penticton gets off a little easier snow-wise as the periods of snow end this morning with flurries off and on for the rest of the day and a high of -1 C. About 7.4 cm of snow has been recorded at the city's airport.

The snowfall warning for Kamloops had been lifted early this morning after the city received 6.6 cm of snow at the airport. The forecast calls for a 40 per cent chance of flurries today. Expect a brisk wind and a high of -2 C.

Forecasters continue to warn drivers to be prepared for changing road conditions through the mountains.

“Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult over some locations,” the warning states. “Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”

For the latest warnings and forecasts go to Environment Canada's website.

For the very latest road conditions go to Drive B.C.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.

— This story was updated at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015 to include new information from Environment Canada.