Winter road conditions challenging drivers in Southern Interior

MERRITT – A Pacific front packed with moisture continues to track across the Southern Interior today dumping snow on the mountain passes, while the valley bottoms are getting flurries.

A snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Hope continues.

Environment Canada is calling for between 15 to 25 centimetres of snow on that section of Highway 5 today, Dec. 20, adding to the 11 cm that has fallen over the last 24 hours. The snow will grow heavier this morning over the Coquihalla and then gradually east tonight.

It’s winter driving conditions for those travelling west to the Lower Mainland on the Coquihalla, the Okanagan Connector and Highway 3 with compact snow and slippery sections, according to Drive B.C.

Drivers heading to Alberta will encounter slushy and slippery sections on the Trans Canada from Kamloops to Revelstoke. Add compact snow to the mix as the highway gains elevation into the mountains.

Drive B.C. says Highway 3 eastbound has compact snow and slippery sections throughout. Be warned the route will be closed in both directions for avalanche control in the Kootenay Pass from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. tonight.

Highways in the valley bottoms have slushy and slippery sections this morning. Make you have lots of windshield washer fluid before heading out today.

For the latest forecasts and warnings go to Environment Canada’s website.

Drive B.C. will have the up-to-date road conditions throughout the province.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.