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Snow slams high passes

Update 7 p.m.

Heavy snow continues to fall over the the mountain passes tonight.

Environment Canada now expects snow accumulations of up to 40 centimetres overnight, with the Coquihalla summit and Allison Pass being two of the hardest hit areas.

However precipitation in those areas may change to rain overnight as the weather system moves eastward.

Heavy snow is also expected over Kootenay Pass and Rogers Pass into Wednesday afternoon.


Original story Nov. 25

A frontal system bringing heavy precipitation will blanket BC’s Interior highways dumping as much as 30 cm.

Extending through tonight, conditions throughout the Coquihalla, Hope to Kamloops and the Hwy. 97C, Merritt to Kelowna are expected to be treacherous over the next 24 hours.

Environment Canada warns that the Coquihalla Summit will be particularly hard hit, as well as Highway 3, Hope to Princeton which expects up to 15 or more centimetres crippling Alison Pass.

Drive BC webcams show very limited visibility particularly approaching and descending the Summit on 97C all the way through to Brenda Mines. A reminder to drivers is being issued that all vehicles are required to have proper winter tires on all BC highways.

The snow is expected to turn to rain overnight as the front pulls northward potentially making for slushy conditions in lower elevations rising to icy patches higher up.

As the first warning of the season is issued, travelers should prepare for harsh winter conditions.  A collision near Revelstoke Monday evening due to poor road conditions resulted in one fatality.

Environment Canada advises anyone using Interior highways to be prepared and to monitor warnings and forecasts as they may be extended.

For current highway conditions and updates check DriveBC.



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