Photo: DriveBC

Highway 97C at Brenda Mines

Motorists hitting the highway mountain passes Thursday are being advised to plan for heavy snow. 

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for most highways in the Southern Interior.

“An approaching frontal system will track inland on Thursday and stall across the southern interior,” Environment Canada says. “The snow will begin in earnest Thursday evening with periods of snow persisting well into the coming weekend.”

The Coquihalla Summit, Allison and Kootenay passes are expected to get 15-25 centimetres of snow on Thursday night. 

The Coquihalla between Merritt and Kamloops, the Okanagan Connector and Rogers Pass are expected to get 5-10 centimetres. 

“Strong southwesterly winds aloft will introduce some warmer air to southwestern B.C. Thursday night, and it is possible that snow will become mixed with rain over Coquihalla Summit and Allison Pass,” Environment Canada added.

The heaviest snow is expected to be Thursday night. However, periods of snow will continue into the weekend. Motorists are advised to keep an eye on road conditions in advance of what will be a busy travel weekend.