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Kootenay snow warning

Contributed Ted Richards

UPDATE: 10 a.m.

The snowfall warning for the Coquihalla has now ended.

Snow has stopped at the Coquihalla summit, however, a snowfall warning remains in effect for the Kootenay Pass on Highway 3.

Environment Canada says unsettled conditions in the wake of a frontal system will continue to bring snow to the area today. Additional snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 centimetres are expected.

The snow will ease late this afternoon.


UPDATE: 8:50 a.m.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway.

Up to 20 centimetres is expected.

Unsettled conditions in the wake of a frontal system will continue to bring snow to the Coquihalla and Kootenay passes today. Additional snowfall amounts of 5 to 10 cm are expected.

The snow will ease this evening.


UPDATE: 7 a.m.

The Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt is now clear after a six-hour closure in both directions according to DriveBC. The closure began around 11 p.m. PT, after a vehicle accident.

RCMP in the area say multiple semi-trailers ended up blocking the roadway after losing control in the snowy and icy conditions. Officers say there have been no injuries.


UPDATE: 4 p.m.

Motorists on the Coquihalla Highway report near whiteout conditions.

One Castanet reader says traffic is still moving, but only at about 20 km/h.

DriveBC continues to warn of heavy snowfall and 30-minute delays at the Great Bear snowshed.


ORIGINAL: 11:30 a.m.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt, with about 20 cm of the white stuff expected.

The forecaster says: “A slow moving frontal system will move through the Southwest Interior (Sunday) afternoon and then across the Kootenays tonight. The storm will give significant snow to the highway passes.”

At the Coquihalla Summit, light snow will become heavier late this afternoon and continue into this evening. The snow is expected to ease near midnight.

On the Rogers Pass, intermittent flurries will intensify this afternoon, with 10 cm of snow expected and an additional 10 cm tonight.

Along the Kootenay Pass, snow will begin falling late this afternoon and intensify this evening. Snowfall amounts approaching 20 cm are expected by early Monday morning.

The snow will taper off on Monday morning as the system moves into Alberta.

Drivers are asked to be prepared for changing road conditions and deteriorating travel conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.



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