Heavy snow expected Thursday night on southern Interior mountain passes

Mountain travel could become dicey tomorrow and through the weekend as a winter storm is forecast to hit the B.C. southern Interior.

A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada today, Dec. 18, for Highway 3, Hope to Princeton, the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops, the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna and the Trans-Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.

Heavy snow is expected tomorrow evening with periods of snow continuing into the weekend.

Allison Pass, Kootenay Pass and the Coquihalla Summit could see 15 to 25 centimetres of snow overnight tomorrow.

Pennask Summit, Rogers Pass, the Okanagan Connector and the Coquihalla Highway at Helmer Lake could see five to 10 cm of snow tomorrow night.

The weather office says the system is expected to bring strong southwesterly winds, introducing warmer air to southwest B.C. Thursday night, resulting in a possible snow and rain mix over Coquihalla Summit and Allison Pass.

Although the heaviest snow is expected overnight tomorrow, the weather statement says additional accumulations could continue into the weekend.

Motorists are advised to check road conditions at DriveBC before, and while travelling.

For the latest on the special weather statement and other possible weather watches or warnings, go to the Environment Canada website here.

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