City says high winds blowing sand off roads, creating snow drifts

Photo: Kristen Holliday

A man carrying a snow shovel crosses Third Avenue near St. Paul Street on Monday morning.

UPDATE: 12:57 p.m.

Kamloops Fire Rescue is asking drivers for extra room on the road as crews respond to a number of collisions and other emergencies.

KFR said in a post on social media that most of its fire trucks have their wheels chained up Monday to allow them to respond promptly to calls.

UPDATE: 12:05 p.m.

Transit users in Kamloops are being told to expect “major delays” and some cancellations due to snowfall and road conditions.

BC Transit took to Twitter early Monday afternoon with a message for riders in Kamloops, Merritt and Vernon.

“Due to heavy snow and road conditions, please expect major delays, detours and/or cancellations,” the agency said.

For bus schedules and up-to-date information, visit BC Transit’s website.

UPDATE: 9:10 a.m.

The City of Kamloops says transit buses are operational on Monday, but some routes are running with lower frequency.

In a post Monday morning on Twitter, the city urged transit users to check the BC Transit website for the most up-to-date information.

UPDATE: 8:25 a.m.

The City of Kamloops says high winds are blowing sand off streets and creating snow drifts.

“With continuous snowfall, our crews have been working 24 hours a day, focused mainly on arterial and collector roads,” the city said Monday morning in a post on social media.

“That means local roads have not yet been addressed in this snow event.”

Snow has been falling since Sunday evening and winds have been high.

“Low temperatures and high winds are creating significant snow drifts and blowing sand off the roads,” the city said.

“If you do not have winter tires, consider staying home today.”

UPDATE: 5:35 a.m.

Kamloops RCMP report stuck semis on the Trans-Canada Highway were cleared overnight.

Highway 1 was reopened between Exit 370 and Exit 368 as of about 1:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, DriveBC issued a travel advisory for Highway 97 between 150 Mile House and Williams Lake as of 12:30 a.m.

Blowing snow and limited visibility was reported between Maze Lake Road and the Williams Lake weigh scale.

ORIGINAL: 11:40 p.m.

Kamloops Mounties are urging drivers to stay home until “treacherous” weather conditions improve, as a winter storm Sunday night has forced the closure of Highway 1 westbound between Sahali and Aberdeen.

In a news release late Sunday night, RCMP Staff Sgt. Kelly Butler said “multiple semi trucks are currently stuck” in the westbound lanes of the highway between the Summit Drive and Highway 5A exits.

“Accordingly, RCMP have closed the westbound lanes of Highway 1 at Exit 370 [Summit Drive] in an attempt to clear the highway of the blocked vehicles and allow for road crews to access the area,” she said.

“Traffic is being diverted. Road maintenance have been advised and are en route.”

Butler said motorists should stay home until the roads improve.

“Road conditions are treacherous and the public are asked to consider delaying travel plans until weather conditions improve,” she said.