Environment Canada posts snowfall warnings for highways around Hope, B.C.

VANCOUVER – Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for two mountain passes in B.C.’s southern Interior, while extreme cold warnings are also in effect for several northern regions of the province.

The agency says in a bulletin posted today that snowfall between 20 to 30 centimetres is expected along the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and along Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton.

It says the heavier snow is expected to ease late this evening.

The extreme cold warnings are in place for the Peace River, Cassiar Mountains, Fort Nelson and Watson Lake areas.

Environment Canada says wind chill temperatures could reach as low as minus 45 overnight and Sunday as an Arctic airmass moves in.

The agency issues extreme cold warnings when temperatures or wind chill pose health risks such as frost bite and hypothermia.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 6, 2021.