It might be a sunny and warm January so far across the Okanagan and Shuswap, but according to Environment Canada all that is about to change.

The warm weather will continue throughout the weekend with temperatures above average for this time of year. However, by late next week meteorologist Doug Lundquist says winter will return and with it cold temperatures and the possibility of snow.

鈥淲e are right in the dead of winter, this is supposed to be the coldest day of the year (Jan. 15) and we are way above average for temperature,鈥� he explained.

Environment Canada is forecasting a big change in the weather by Wednesday where temperatures could drop down to -8 C.

鈥淲e are going to switch back into winter and we should expect some snow events that are typical for this time of year,鈥� said Lundquist. 鈥淭he cold air will start later next week and while we aren鈥檛 forecasting a major arctic outbreak, people should get their shovels and winter jackets ready.鈥�

He added the possibility of cooler temperatures could come as good news for those in the ice wine industry, who need the mercury to dip to -8 C or colder for harvesting stipulations.

While difficult to predict, Environment Canada is forecasting a colder than average February where temperatures in 琉璃神社 near Okanagan Lake usually sit at 0 C.

鈥淚t will probably be a few degrees colder than average in February,鈥� explained Lundquist. 鈥淲e might see an arctic outbreak during the month and temperatures will probably fluctuate between average and cooler than average.鈥�

In the meantime, the Okanagan and Shuswap will see weekend temperatures sit around 3 C.

鈥淲inter isn鈥檛 over till it鈥檚 over,鈥� added Lundquist.

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jen.zielinski@bpdigital.ca
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