Heavy snow expected in mountain passes Sunday

TREACHEROUS HIGHWAY CONDITIONS EXPECTED

KELOWNA – If you’re headed to or from the Lower Mainland or Alberta Sunday or Monday be prepared for challenging road conditions in the mountain passes.

So much snow is expected through the day and overnight that Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement to draw our attention to it.

The meteorologists with Environment Canada tell us a moisture laden low pressure system from the Pacific is crossing the Interior. At the same time, an Arctic front is approaching from the north.

When the two weather systems collide locally heavy snow will be produced in the mountain passes in the southern B.C. Interior. The heaviest snow will fall during the evening and overnight.

Forecasters are calling for 15 to 20 cm of snow.

More snow is expected in the passes on the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3. Those areas could get between 25 to 35 cm of snow.

The heads-up covers:

– Okanagan Connector from Kelowna to Merritt

– Coquihalla Highway from Merritt to Hope

– Highway 3 from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass and from Princeton to Hope through the Allison Pass

– TransCanada Highway from Rogers Pass to Eagle Pass

After the snow, the frigid Arctic air will settle in for a few days in the Southern Interior.

If you are planning to drive through these areas, it would be best to check with Drive B.C. before you head out.

You can also get the very latest weather information from Environment Canada.