Environment Canada issues snow warning for Interior highways

Environment Canada is warning British Columbians about heavy precipitation in three regions tonight, Oct. 27 and tomorrow, Oct. 28.

Highway 1 between Rogers Pass and Kootenay Pass is expected to see 10 to 15 centimetres of snowfall. The snow is expected to change into rain over the Kootenay Pass near midday on Oct. 28, and by the early evening snow will turn into rain at Rogers Pass as well, Environment Canada said in a special weather statement issued today.

Ten to 15 centimetres of snowfall is also expected to accumulate near the Coquihalla Summit between Hope to Merritt on the Coquihalla Highway through tonight and tomorrow. The snow will be the result of a moist southwesterly flow, and drivers will notice rain at lower elevations, and should expect more rain and less snow starting Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Powder hounds can rejoice as snow flies at Thompson Okanagan ski resorts

For both highway warnings, Environment Canada is reminding drivers how weather can change suddenly in the mountains and result in dicey driving conditions.

From Metro Vancouver to Hope there is a rainfall warning in effect, with 50 to 70 millimetres expected. The rain is expected to begin tonight, and the heaviest amount will come late tonight and last until Thursday afternoon.

Localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas, Environment Canada warns, and heavy downpours can cause flash floods.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Dan Walton or call 250-488-3065 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above.