Kelowna Snowfall Totals & Accumulation Averages
This page pulls together information on when, how much and how often Kelowna, British Columbia has snow.
There are data and descriptions here of how many days it snows and the total amount of snowfall that Kelowna usually gets. There are also monthly and yearly counts of the days that Kelowna normally has heavy snowstorms and deep snow accumulated on the ground. Plus there's information on when the city can expect its first and last snowfalls of the season.
All the numbers are long-term historical averages based on weather data gathered from 1981 to 2010 in downtown Kelowna.
How Often it Snows in Kelowna
This first table lists monthly and yearly totals for amount of snow and how many days it snows at least 0.2 centimetres (0.08 inches).
| Days | Inches | Centimetres | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.9 | January | 7.7 | 19 |
| 2.9 | February | 2.8 | 7 |
| 1.4 | March | 1.2 | 3 |
| 0.1 | April | 0.0 | 0 |
| 0.1 | October | 0.1 | 0 |
| 2.6 | November | 4.2 | 11 |
| 7.5 | December | 9.0 | 23 |
| 21.5 | Year | 25.0 | 64 |
When Kelowna Has Its First & Last Snowfalls
The first snowfall of winter for Kelowna usually arrives in November, but can show up as early as October.
The season's last snowfall typically happens in March although in some years a late snow lands in April or even May.
Kelowna is normally free of snow every year from June to September.
How Many Snowstorms Kelowna Gets
Most days of snowfall in Kelowna leave less than five centimetres (2 inches) of fresh snow on the ground. Typically on four days a year, the amount of new snow totals at least five cm.
Big snowstorms of ten cm or more a day normally occur just once a year. While a major blizzard dumping over 25 cm in one day has happened, storms that severe are not expected in Kelowna.
| 5 cm 2.0 inches |
10 cm 3.9 inches |
25 cm 9.8 inches | |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 |
| February | 0.4 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| March | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| November | 0.7 | 0.3 | 0.0 |
| December | 1.5 | 0.4 | 0.0 |
| Year | 3.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
How Much Snow Normally Accumulates in Kelowna
For about 50 days a year, Kelowna has at least a centimetre of snow on the ground. In mid-winter the snowpack averages around four cm deep.
| 1 cm 0.4 inches |
5 cm 2.0 inches |
10 cm 3.9 inches |
20 cm 7.9 inches | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20.0 | 16.1 | January | 9.9 | 2.4 |
| 8.6 | 5.9 | February | 3.8 | 1.6 |
| 0.1 | 0.0 | March | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 1.0 | 0.7 | November | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| 20.5 | 11.2 | December | 3.0 | 0.3 |
| 50.2 | 33.9 | Year | 16.6 | 4.4 |
Reference
Environment Canada. Meteorological Service of Canada. Canadian Climate Normals. 1981-2010 Climate Normals & Averages.