Environment Canada (EC) is warning of “hazardous winter conditions” for multiple BC Interior highways over the next 24 hours.
The agency is calling for up to 25 centimetres of snow for the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5) and Hwy 3 through the Kootenays.
It has prompted a winter storm warning.
“A frontal system moving across the BC Interior will give heavy snow to southern highway passes,” reads the EC alert.
“Light snow this morning will intensify later in the day. The snow will abate Wednesday morning as the system exits the region.”
On Hwy 5, the snow will be mainly around the summit today as snow levels hover around 1,200 metres. This evening, the snow level will drop to 600 m.
Over on Hwy 3, the greatest accumulation is expected over the Kootenay Pass, where EC warns that the total amount of snow could exceed 25 cm. It will be a little more manageable over the Paulson Summit with up to 15 cm of snow expected.
EC urges people to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve, as the heavy snow will result in “difficult travel conditions” and “poor visibility.”
It's also worth noting that the Trans-Canada Highway (Hwy 1) will be closed between Revelstoke and Golden from 8 am until 5 pm today for avalanche control.
You can stay up to date on highway conditions and closures by visiting the DriveBC website at any time throughout the day.
