Cold weather records could be shattered

The ice melt and anti-freeze displays are up, and tire shop impact guns are busy with last minute change overs as Enviroment Canada has issued another special weather statement for Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton and the Okanagan Connector of the Coquihalla highway.

The weather service said more early season snowfall is expected on Friday as Arctic air arrives. Below seasonal temperatures will continue through the weekend.

A low pressure system will pass just off Vancouver Island Friday morning and move onto the Washington coast Friday evening. Meanwhile, modified Arctic air will advance southward through the B.C. Interior. By Friday afternoon, the Arctic front is expected to reach Kamloops and pile up against the east side of the Rockies.

Environment Canada said overnight lows could hit -9 Celsius with a daytime high Saturday near 0 C, other weather services like AccuWeather are predicting double digit lows.

Weather records for October 24 between 1991 and 2019 saw a daytime high of 17 C in 2007, the lowest overnight temperature for that date was -3 C in 2002. There was no record of snowfall accumulation on that date, however there was nine millimeters of rain in 2007.

The front is expected to move through by Tuesday with a return to seasonal temperatures, average lows this time of year 1 C and 10 C for daytime maximums.

With a somewhat cool airmass already in place, widespread snow is expected from Bella Coola and Whistler eastward to 100 Mile and the southwest interior, and further to the Kootenays and parts of the Columbias. Snow may become mixed with rain over southern and eastern portions of this area. Currently, forecast snowfall amounts range from five to 15 cm.

A separate statement covers the connector from Kamloops to Merritt and warns drivers to expect sudden changes and snowfall of up to 15 cm. All vehicles driving B.C. mountain highways are required to have tires with the M + S or snowflake symbol from October 1 to March 31.