Photo: Contributed

Environment Canada is warning of hazardous winter conditions on high mountain passes in the Southern Interior.

A storm warning has been issued for both the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt and Highway 3 the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

As much as 25 centimetres of snow is expected today and tonight making driving difficult due to heavy snow. Visibility is also expected to be poor.

"Light snow this morning will intensify later in the day," according to an advisory from Environment Canada.

"The snow will abate Wednesday morning as the system exits the region.

"Over the Coquihalla Highway, snow will be mainly near the summit today as snow levels hover around 1,200 m. The snow levels are expected to drop to 600 m this evening.

"Over the Highway 3, the greatest accumulation is forecast to be over Kootenay Pass where snow accumulations are likely to exceed 25 cm. Near Paulson Summit, up to 15 cm of snow is expected."

Motorists are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.