Melt underway as temperatures finally go above zero

• Prolonged melt
• Many city departments ensuring drains are cleared
• Public encouraged to do their part by calling in

Warmer temperatures have brought melting snow and pooling across most parts of the city, but officials say it will be a slow process and should not cause any localized flooding.

Temperatures the last few days, have moved above zero for the first time in almost three weeks.

Most streets have varying degrees of ponding as the recent heavy snow disappears bringing some challenges to motorists and pedestrians, especially at intersections along crosswalks.

“The melting cycle as its forecasted shouldn’t be too problematic,” Public Works Manager Geert Bos told Kelowna10. “The melt we’re expecting is just a runoff from the temperatures that are up three or four degrees during the day, and close to zero overnight. It’s really more of a stagnated melt, it will be prolonged.”

Bos said while snow crews are still out clearing, there are multiple city departments keeping an eye on the melting.

“When they see a catch basin that’s blocked by snow and there’s some pooling happening, you’ll see people getting out of their vehicles and opening up the catch basin to make sure water can make its way into the storm network,” he said.

According to Bos, the snowpack around creeks in the Mission Creek and Mill Creek areas is below average despite the heavy snowfall of late in the valley and southeast parts of the city.

He added those living hillside shouldn’t worry as the snow will melt underneath the snowbanks and make its way to one of the city’s 12,000 catch basins, or drains.

With so much water now running on local streets, there is a concern overnight temperatures dropping below zero will lead to freeze hazards, and Bos said the city would appreciate residents calling problems in. Bos asks residents to keep eyes open for any ponding or pooling on the roads to let the city know online by submitting a service request.

“We would hate to see the refreezing of this ponding and pooling on the roads. The drier we can get roads, the better it would be for everybody,” he said.

Highway crashes

Meanwhile the changing weather caused issues on local highways.

One of the worst areas was on Highway 97 south of Vernon where RCMP said over ten vehicles were involved in multiple crashes, leading to the road being closed for two hours for northbound travelers.

Fortunately there were no serious injuries.

As temperatures drop in the evening, the slush and water on roadways will turn into ice, and Mounties are asking motorists to avoid travel if possible.

With files from Vernon Matters.