Image Credit: Kent Simmonds / CFJC Today

By Dylana Kneeshaw

WINTER FORECAST

Dry, mild December ahead for Kamloops region

Dec 1, 2023 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Summer drought conditions bled into autumn in Kamloops and Environment Canada says we’re in store for a dry, warm December.

Meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau says the region’s mild winter conditions with less snow and warmer temperatures will be problematic for next spring and summer — especially considering El Nino normally takes effect after December.

“We definitely have not made up that precipitation deficit this fall,” Charbonneau told CFJC Today. “We have not really changed. We entered the fall in significant drought conditions across the province and, unfortunately, there hasn’t been a lot of relief yet, particularly through parts of the Interior.”

However, even though the precipitation and temperature averages will be milder than normal, Environment Canada says that doesn’t rule out cold snaps, or winter storms.

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“We still need to be prepared for winter conditions, winter driving, all of that,” said Charbonneau. “But on a whole, the picture does look like warmer than normal conditions are expected to continue.”

On that note, a snowfall warning is still in effect for sections of the Coquihalla Highway, including the Hope to Merritt stretch. Between 15 and 20 cm of snow is expected to fall overnight Friday (Dec. 1) through to Saturday morning (Dec. 2).