iN TRAFFIC: Freezing rain travel advisories issued for Southern Interior highways

Rain is expected through most mountain passes this morning, Dec. 27, except near the summits where up to 5 cm of snow could fall.

Freezing rain in the valley bottoms and along the highways have triggered numerous travel advisories, according to Drive B.C.

That includes from 12 to 31 km north of the Coquihalla Summit, from Merritt to Kamloops along Highway 5 and from Merritt to West Kelowna on the Okanagan Connector.

Travel advisories are also in effect because of freezing rain from 3 km south of Osoyoos through to Monte Creek on Highway 97, from 26 km south of Enderby to Sicamous on Highway 97A and between Keremeos and Kaleden on Highway 3A.

Rain is expected on the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt this morning with freezing levels at 1,200 metres, rising to 1,500 metres this afternoon so up to 5 cm of snow could fall at the summit.

From Merritt to Kamloops the rain is expected to end near noon with a 60% chance of showers in the afternoon and snow near the summit.

A travel advisory has been issued by the province for the Okanagan Connector between West Kelowna and Merritt. Watch for heavy snow fall, freezing rain and avoid non-essential travel. The snow level is expected to be at the valley bottoms.

Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton will have rain at lower elevations with a freezing level of 1,300 metres rising to 1,600 metres near noon.

The Trans-Canada Highway is closed from Hope to 26 kilometres south of Jackass Mountain Summit due to the avalanche hazard. The estimated time of reopening is not available.

There is a traffic advisory on Highway 1 from 18 km west of Chase to 16 km east of Sicamous due to the risk of freezing rain. Further east along Highway 1, from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass, 10 cm of snow is expected.

Snow is expected through all the mountain passes tonight.

For the very latest road conditions, go to DriveBC here.

Temperatures are expected to rise to 5 Celsius in Kamloops today with rain this morning and a 40% chance of showers this afternoon. There could be 5 cm of snow at higher elevations.

A high of 2 C is expected in Kelowna and Vernon today with a 60% chance of freezing rain, showers or snow flurries with accumulations of up to 2 cm.

Up to 2 cm of snow could fall in Penticton this morning, changing to rain and freezing rain with a high expected of 1 C.

Go to Environment Canada's weather alert web page here for the latest warnings and watches.

Sun Peaks Ski Resort has 8 cm of new snow with more expected today, a temperature of -4 C and an alpine base of 106 cm.

Silver Star Mountain Resort had 12 cm of snow overnight and is -1 C with an alpine base of 131 cm.

Big White Ski Resort had 4 cm of new snow overnight, has an alpine base of 115 cm and is -2 C.

Apex Mountain Resort has 9 cm of new snow, an alpine base of 159 cm and a temperature of -3 C.

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