BURSTWind and snow and thunderstorms, oh my.
A little bit of nearly every kind of weather is expected on Saturday, Oct. 17 in the Eastern Fraser Valley, Okanagan, and Cariboo regions, including the Coquihalla Highway (Hope to Kamloops), Okanagan Connector, and Highway 3 (Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass), prompting Environment Canada to issue a special weather statement on Friday morning. The only area not impacted is the Chilcotin area, including Kamloops and Ashcroft.
According to the government weather agency, a fall storm is going to bring mixed weather conditions, including heavy winds.
The three regions are to expect the following on Saturday:
– Sudden gusty winds of 60 to 80 km/h;
– Snow levels lowering to 1500 metres over southern B.C.;
– Snow levels lowering to 1200 metres over central B.C.;
– Risk of thunderstorms over Cariboo and Columbia regions.
“A sharp cold front moving across the B.C. Interior on Saturday will primarily generate strong gusty winds of 60 to 80 km/h,” stated Environment Canada. “Ahead of this cold front, strong southwest winds gusting to 80 km/h will develop lee of the Coast Mountains in the Chilcotin this morning.”
Additionally, the cold front and unstable air could generate scattered showers, small hail and risk of thunderstorms across the central interior and parts of the Columbia regions.
The weather could result in localized power outages, fallen branches, slippery conditions for drivers. High profile vehicles should also take caution in the high winds, added Environment Canada.
As of Oct. 1, winter tires are required on B.C.’s highways.