Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By James Peters

Wicked Weather

Snowfall to continue through Tuesday; more significant weather expected later this week

Jan 6, 2020 | 11:46 AM

KAMLOOPS — Persistent snowfall throughout the morning led to a series of crashes in and around Kamloops.

City of Kamloops and contracted highway maintenance crews were scrambling to keep the roads as clear as possible as large snowflakes fell all morning.

According to Environment Canada forecaster Doug Lundquist, the system is not finished yet.

“There’s another wave on the frontal system that’s coming toward us within the next 12-to-24 hours,” Lundquist told CFJC Today, adding the storm could dump 30 centimetres on the city’s high elevations before it moves off Tuesday (Jan. 7).

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A travel advisory was enacted for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt Monday morning.

Even after this system finishes its snow dump, Lundquist is predicting two more significant weather events for later in the week.

“By Thursday, we have a modified Arctic front coming our way to give us one chilly night, or two perhaps,” noted Lundquist. “And then there’s another storm heading our way for Thursday night into Friday. Even though we haven’t said it in the forecast yet, I think this one might be more intense than the previous one.

“Our forecast high of -6 might be a bit pessimistic. Certainly, that looks like another really intense system for Thursday night maybe through to Saturday.”

That second significant snow event of the week is expected to be followed by a cold snap.

“After that, there’s another weather event to talk about and that is Arctic air getting into the Southern Interior for Sunday into Monday, pushing temperatures overnight into the minus-double digits,” said Lundquist.

For those needing to travel, Lundquist says there should be a window of better weather mid-week.

“No matter where you go today, you want to be prepared if you have to travel. Try to plan for the window which is… Tuesday maybe, Wednesday and Thursday,” said Lundquist. “Definitely visit Drive BC, (look at) the webcams. Make sure things are okay before you decide to travel any distances.”