Overnight snow forecast for Okanagan expected to make tomorrow morning’s commute messy

OKANAGAN – Today’s cool, sunny weather is about to make a wintery change prior to the start of the weekend.

Environment Canada meteorologist Armel Castellan says the high pressure ridge that has been giving us cool temperatures and sunny skies the last few days will begin breaking down this afternoon as a weather system spreads cloud and moisture into the valley this evening, Nov. 8, and overnight.

Temperatures will be cold enough for snow to begin falling, with amounts expected between one and five centimetres, says Castellan.

He cautions the Coquihalla connector could see as much as 15 cm by tomorrow afternoon before the system moves on.

“Motorists may well face winter driving conditions on the connector and on the valley floor tomorrow morning,” he says, adding it may not be cold enough for the snow to last more than a few hours on the ground before a high pressure ridge begins building behind it.

The Okanagan can expect mostly sunny skies and a high of 2 Celsius in Vernon and Kelowna, and 6 C in Penticton, but things will start clouding over tonight with snow expected to start after midnight.

The snow will end tomorrow afternoon followed by clearing skies and a high of 2 C.

Vernon and Kelowna could see up to five cm of snow, while Penticton could see between two to four cm in a mix of snow and rain.

Saturday and Sunday are expected to be sunny with a high of around 4 C, and overnight lows of about -4 C.

The forecast calls for the sunshine to continue Monday with a high of 2 C and a low of -2 C.

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