Okanagan residents can expect to shovel more snow through today and tomorrow, as Environment Canada calls for significant accumulations, especially in the Central Okanagan, through today and overnight, Dec. 19, 2017.
(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
December 19, 2017 - 10:57 AM
KELOWNA - Weather warnings issued yesterday are coming true today in much of the B.C. Interior.
Yesterday, the weather office was calling for some heavy snowfall throughout the region, but now we have more specifics: Kamloops and the South Thompson might be spared the worst of the storm and the Central Okanagan may take the brunt.
Environment Canada has issued a winter storm warning for the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, as of this morning. Heavy snow is expected to result from a wet Pacific frontal system approaching the southwestern interior. Snow is expected to intensify later this morning, easing by Wednesday morning.
Snow accumulations in the 20 to 25 cm range is anticipated in Merritt and Kelowna, with Westbank and Peachland possibly receiving as much as 35 cm by Wednesday morning.
A snowfall warning continues for the North Okanagan, including Vernon, the South Okanagan and Penticton, and the Siilkamameen.
A special weather statement issued for the South Thompson has ended. Earlier today, it was cancelled for the Shuswap as well, but not for long — you're getting more snow too.
The wintery conditions have already caused havoc on local roads and highways. Yesterday, a multi-vehicle incident closed the Coquihalla Highway for much of the day and an accident near Summerland closed Highway 97 earlier this morning. Travel advisories are in effect nearly everywhere. Check Drive B.C. for details.
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