UPDATE: Weather warnings lifted, but not for area highways

UPDATE: May 22, 2013 6:19 a.m.

The B.C. Interior appears to be out from under heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorm watches, but area highways are still in for some weather.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement this morning for the following highways where the 5 to 15 cm of snow is expected by Thursday:

      Coquihalla Highway – Hope to Merritt
      Okanagan Connector – Merritt to Kelowna
      Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass
      Highway 3 – Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

A cold upper low over Washington state will remain nearly stationary through Thursday.  Lowering freezing levels combined with moisture wrapping around this feature will give snowfall amounts of 5 cm to the Okanagan Connector and Coquihalla Highway – Hope to Merritt by Thursday morning.

Snow will begin falling on Highway 3 – Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass late this morning and 10 to 15 cm is expected by Thursday morning.

The public is advised to monitor future forecasts and warnings as warnings may be required or extended.

UPDATE: May 21, 2013 3:44 p.m.

As watches and warnings for heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms continue in the Thompson-Okanagan a snowfall warning for several Southern Interior highways has been issued.

Environment Canada issued a statement warning of snowfall for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt, the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna and Hwy 3 from Hope to Princeton (via Allison Pass) and Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

The same system causing rain throughout the region today will combine with a front off the south coast of B.C., lowering freezing levels. The weather office reports snow has already started on the Coquihalla and Allison Pass. A total of five to 10 cm is expected by Thursday.

Drive B.C. also notes water pooling at several exits on the Coquihalla Highway and slushy sections on Hwy 3.

To contact a reporter for this story, email jstahn@infotelnews.ca or call (250) 819-3723.