Drive to the conditions: emergency crews caution after Okanagan winter whiteout

It seems not everyone is getting the message when it comes to winter driving: slow down.

Emergency crews say many motorists simply aren’t driving appropriately for the snowy conditions.

Snow blanketed much of the Okanagan valley Sunday, with about two to five centimeters falling in Penticton, about 11 centimeters falling in Vernon and upwards of 13, possibly 15 centimeters falling in some areas of Kelowna.

In the mountain passes, Okanagan Connector saw 10-12 centimeters, while the accumulation is expected to top 30 centimeters on the Coquihalla before the end of the weekend.

While there were no reports of major accidents in Kelowna, a head-on crash on Highway 97 at Pleasant Valley Road in Swan Lake Sunday morning closed the highway for about two hours.

A woman was trapped inside one of the vehicles for a period of time while crews worked to free her. Emergency crews say it’s lucky no one was seriously hurt.

Highway 1 near Golden also closed after a semi overturned on the road.

READ MORE: Highway 1 closed between Field and Golden after vehicle incident

Though it may sound like a broken record, emergency crews are now issuing the same warning you hear every time the weather gets ugly: drive to the conditions.