Snow expected on Coquihalla, Okanagan Connector and Hwy 1

Anyone travelling on any of the Interior major highways over tonight or on Friday is advised to prepare for snowy conditions through the mountain passes.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the Coquihalla, Okanagan Connector and eastern sections of Highway 1 and Highway 3.

That includes the Allison Pass, Kootenay Pass, Begbie Summit, and Rogers Pass.

Between two and five centimetres of snow, with locally higher amounts “possible."

It is forecasted to begin Thursday night and is expected to continue into Friday morning and possibly early Saturday morning, the weather agency says.

❄️⚠️📡SNOW EXPECTED ON MOUNTAIN PASSES - Snowfall starting tonight with amounts of 2-5cm for #BCHwy1 #RogersPass, #BCHwy3 #AllisonPass #Begbie Summit, #KootenayPass, #BCHwy5 #Coquihalla, & #BCHwy97C #OkanaganConnector.

Snow continues through Friday. Please be prepared for…

— DriveBC (@DriveBC) May 16, 2024

“An upper low will bring a cool airmass to higher elevations of the BC Interior late Thursday into this long weekend,” says the weather agency.

“Colder air along with precipitation means the mountain passes can expect a dusting of snow overnight Thursday and possibly overnight Friday.”

For the Allison Pass, the Coquihalla Highway, the Okanagan Connector and Begbie summit, snow can be expected above 1000 metres.

Environment Canada says snow is expected above 1300 metres through the Rogers and Kootenay Pass.

Travellers are advised to prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions and Environment Canada reminds drivers that weather through the mountains can change suddenly resulting in “hazardous” driving conditions.

Be sure to check Environment Canada and DriveBC before travelling on Thursday or Friday.