Snow is falling in the South Okanagan today, with up to 10 cm expected in Penticton. Environment Canada has issued a heavy snowfall warning for Kelowna and Vernon today, Jan.6, 2020.

(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)

Today’s snow event is the start of a week of highly variable weather predicted for the Okanagan valley.

Environment Canada meteorologist Doug Lundquist says between 5 and 10 cm are expected in the valley bottoms, with 15 cm falling in higher terrain and as much as 20 to 30 cm forecast for mountain passes.

“The heaviest snow will be today and tonight, followed by warming conditions tomorrow that should see some melting. We’ll have a taste of arctic air on Thursday before another vigorous system heads our way for Friday, with perhaps more snow than we’re getting today,” Lundquist says.

He says another blast of arctic air is expected by the end of the weekend, “maybe our coldest of the season so far.”

Tomorrow’s warming should see snow melt from valley roads, but Lundquist says motorists travelling higher elevation roads need to be ready.

“Plan accordingly, take extra blankets and food and be prepared, or monitor Drive BC and wait until conditions improve,” he says.A snowfall warning has been issued for Kelowna this morning with 5 cm expected in the city and up to 10 cm potentially falling on West Kelowna and Peachland.

Additional snow overnight could add 10 cm more in the city and 15 cm more in West Kelowna and Peachland.

There is a snowfall warning out for Vernon as well, where 2 to 4 cm could fall today, followed by an additional 10 cm overnight.

Penticton could see between 5 and 10 cm of snow fall today.

Temperature is expected to remain steady around 0 Celsius today and tonight in Vernon and Kelowna, but it should reach a high of 1 C in Penticton where it should remain steady overnight.

Light snow is expected to change to periods of rain Tuesday morning in Vernon and Kelowna, with a risk of freezing rain Tuesday afternoon in Vernon.

Penticton should see clouds with a 60 per cent chance of showers on Tuesday, with winds south at 30 km/h.

Tuesday’s high should reach 3 C in Vernon and Kelowna, 5 C  in Penticton, with a low of 2 C overnight.

There is a 60 per cent chance of showers Wednesday with a high of 2 C expected. Clearing skies will also bring a precipitous drop in temperatures overnight, with a low of -8 C expected.

Thursday will see the sun return, along with sub-zero temperatures, Thursday’s high is expected to be -2 C with a low of -6 under cloudy overnight skies, along with a 60 per cent chance of flurries.

There is a 60 per cent chance of flurries Friday with a high of -4. Cloudy skies and a continuing 60 per cent chance of flurries are ongoing into Friday night with a low of -7 C expected.

The weekend looks as though it will be cloudy and cold, with a 60 per cent chance of flurries on Saturday, through Saturday night, and a high and low of -4 C and -8 C expected.

Sunday should see clouds and a 60 per cent chance of flurries along with a high of -4 C.

Vernon, Kelowna and Penticton’s normal high and low for January is -2 C and -8 C.

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