Record cold expected to hit B.C.'s southern Interior this weekend

It felt more like winter than fall in much ofsouthern B.C. on Friday, setting the stage for an unseasonablycold 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 centimetreswere expected on valley floors.

In both Kelowna and Penticton, city officials warnedpeople to stay away from trees and branches weighed down by snowandat 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 to9 C in Kelowna.

WATCH | Scenes of Kelowna blanketed in snow:

Snowfall in Kelowna

4 years ago

Duration 0:35

The first snowfall of the season comes to Kelowna, as snowfall warnings remain in place in much of the province.

In the Lower Mainland on Friday, precipitation fell as wet snow at higher elevations, including on Burnaby Mountain and the North Shore mountains.

CBCmeteorologist Johanna Wagstaffesaid the inclement weather is a result of a Pacific low-pressure ridge colliding with a descendingArctic front.

"Areas below 800 metres may see some wet flakes this morning before temperatureswarm a little and we all get the rain," she said.

Vancouver wasexpected to reach a high of 7 C, five degrees below the average.

Be prepared for icy roads

The Coquihalla Highwayreopened after being closed in both directions between Hope and Merrittearly Friday morning,according to DriveBC.

Four or five transporttrucks that didn't chain up became strandedand blocked the road, according to Merritt RCMP. No one was injured.

Highway 3 east of Osoyoosalso reopened after being closed in both directions due to vehicles sliding off the road and colliding.

The slick conditions werethe result of snow that began falling during the night, covering mountain passes across southern B.C.

Kelowna RCMP saidconditions remained extremely icyand adviseddrivers to slow down.

Al Quiring, a tow-truck driver whoruns Quiring Towing, saidthere 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."