Record cold expected to hit B.C.'s southern Interior this weekend
Okanagan could experience its coldest October night in 100 years on Saturday, says Environment Canada
It felt more like winter than fall in much of southern B.C. on Friday, setting the stage for an unseasonably cold weekend.
Widespread special weather statements and snowfall warnings were in effect across B.C.'s southern Interior, bringing the first snowfall of the season to many areas. Five to 15 centimetres were expected on valley floors.
In both Kelowna and Penticton, city officials warned people to stay away from trees and branches weighed down by snow and at risk of snapping.
Frigid arctic air is expected to replace snow in the region by Saturday.
Environment Canada metrologist Carmen Hartt said the Okanagan could experience its coldest October night in 100 years.
The Saturday overnight low expected to plummet to –9 C in Kelowna.
WATCH | Scenes of Kelowna blanketed in snow:
In the Lower Mainland on Friday, precipitation fell as wet snow at higher elevations, including on Burnaby Mountain and the North Shore mountains.
CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe said the inclement weather is a result of a Pacific low-pressure ridge colliding with a descending Arctic front.
"Areas below 800 metres may see some wet flakes this morning before temperatures warm a little and we all get the rain," she said.
Vancouver was expected to reach a high of 7 C, five degrees below the average.
Be prepared for icy roads
The Coquihalla Highway reopened after being closed in both directions between Hope and Merritt early Friday morning, according to DriveBC.
Four or five transport trucks that didn't chain up became stranded and blocked the road, according to Merritt RCMP. No one was injured.
Highway 3 east of Osoyoos also reopened after being closed in both directions due to vehicles sliding off the road and colliding.
The slick conditions were the result of snow that began falling during the night, covering mountain passes across southern B.C.
Kelowna RCMP said conditions remained extremely icy and advised drivers to slow down.
Al Quiring, a tow-truck driver who runs Quiring Towing, said there are closures on the Coquihalla every winter and drivers should be prepared with supplies, like snacks and warm clothing, to wait them out.
"Take a look at DriveBC at the conditions you're going to be heading through," he said.
"If it does look a little bit wintry, make sure you've got your winter tires and your winter supplies in your vehicle."
With files from Tom Popyk and CBC's On The Coast