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Republished January 05, 2018 - 9:59 AM
Original Publication Date January 04, 2018 - 4:25 PM
Environment Canada has continued a freezing rain warning and issued new warnings for other areas of the southwest Interior this morning.
Patchy freezing rain is expected or already falling in the Okanagan, Similkameen, Shuswap, Nicola, and North Thompson regions, according to the weather warning issued at about 9 a.m. today, Jan. 5.
The original warning, issued early this morning, only covered the South Okanagan, including Penticton, the Similkameen and Nicola.
Forecasters say the freezing rain developed over the southwest Interior this morning as warm, moist air from a frontal system spread over a shallow surface layer of arctic air. The band of freezing rain moved out of the Nicola and Similkameen regions, spread over the South Okanagan and is now possible in the rest of the Okanagan, Shuswap and North Thompson areas.
Freezing rain is also causing ice build-up on the Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Hope, and on Highway 3 from Princeton to Hope via the Allison Pass. Drive B.C. has issued a travel advisories for several highways throughout the Okanagan, Similkameen and Thompson regions.
Environment Canada warns surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Poor weather conditions may contribute to transportation delays. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break.
The freezing rain should end through this afternoon and early evening "as the nose of warmer air aloft is eroded," the warning states.
To monitor road conditions, go to DriveBC or follow them on Twitter.
For the latest weather statements, watches and warnings go to the Environment Canada website here.
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