Environment Canada has upgraded a special weather warning to a heavy snowfall warning Thursday for parts of the Southern Interior tomorrow.

Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 20 cm is expected as an Arctic front sliding south across the B.C. Interior today is leaving much colder air in its wake.

An approaching Pacific storm will move across the Southern Interior on Thursday. Moisture from this system will combine with the cold air and result in heavy snow for the Kootenay and Southern Interior regions, according to Environment Canada.

The warning is issued for the Nicola, Similkameen, Boundary and Okanagan regions as well as all mountain passes in the area.

Snow should begin overnight and ease Thursday evening. Widespread snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 cm are expected. Locally heavier amounts up to 20 cm are possible over high elevation routes.

Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions.

For more on the snowfall warning, visit Environment Canada.

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