Image credit: Aaron Schulze/CFJC Today

By Aaron Schulze

20 Centimetre Snowfall

City crews looking at 48-hour window to clean up streets before next snow event hits Kamloops

Dec 2, 2025 | 8:54 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops residents were asked to slow down and take extra time on their way to work Tuesday (Dec. 2) as snow removal crews aim to tackle collectors and bus routes later in the day.

According to Joe Luison, the City of Kamloops’ civic operations assistant director and public works divisional manager, some areas across the city saw more than 20 centimetres of snowfall during the nearly day-long snow event Monday.

A recipe of warmer temperatures in the ground for Kamloops’ first major snowfall of the season and rush hour traffic Monday afternoon is being credited for creating compact ice conditions on streets throughout the city.

“There are 14 trucks running around the entire city. During a snow event, a majority of them are not leaving the arterial roads,” Luison told CFJC Today. “You may not see it, but think of how many vehicles you see on your way to work — somewhere in there is one truck in that zone.”

Conditions are expected to improve midday Tuesday as Environment Canada is forecasting a daytime high of 4 C. Until then, Luison says residents are going to run into compact snow and some slushy sections as salts activate and begin to melt some of the snowfall. DriveBC is also warning drivers of similar conditions on major highways in and around the city.

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“Take extra time if they can, leave a bit early and leave more room,” Luison says. “If you have to stop on a hill, it’s tough to get going again. If you see people struggling on a hill… if you find an alternate route that’s great, but if not, give them room to get up there.”

Kamloops’ main arterial roads — Aberdeen Drive, Pacific Way, Hugh Allan Drive, Columbia Street and Tranquille Road — get priority from city crews during snow events.

Once four hours have passed since the end of a snow event, crews create a safe travel lane and shift their focus to collector and bus routes before removing snow on smaller roads.

In a normal snow event, the city’s service levels are set to clear the snow on collector and bus routes within 16 hours and smaller roads within 36 hours. However, once snowfall amounts surpass 10 centimetres, Luison says the city doesn’t have the equipment to meet that timeframe.

“We’re hoping we can hit a lot of the [local roads] that are on the hill and up at the top of the mountain valley bottom before the next snow event on Wednesday. We’ve got a 48-hour period to try to get everybody moving before the next one hits,” Luison says.

As of Tuesday morning, Environment Canada is forecasting a 60 per cent chance of flurries for Kamloops Wednesday night, turning into a 60 per cent chance of flurries or showers throughout the day Thursday. Flurries or showers are expected Thursday night into Friday morning.

Until Wednesday night, residents are reminded that windrows are the responsibility of homeowners. Residents are asked to pile that snow on the corner of the property to ensure their road doesn’t become narrow.

Additionally, if it snows on Friday, Luison says snow removal crews are on call and standby.

“They’re out there doing their best. They didn’t set service levels. Please give them some appreciation and patience. They’re doing as they’re asked to do. If there are any concerns, call civic operations at 250-828-3461,” Luison says.