Snowfall warning in effect for: Coquihalla Highway - Hope to Merritt

Heavy snow is in the forecast for parts of B.C.'s Southern Interior.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway - Hope to Merritt.

Snowfall accumulations of 15 to 20 cm with low visibility will span areas including the Coquihalla Summit, Paulson Summit, Kootenay Pass, Rogers Pass, North and West Columbia including Blue River and Revelstoke, especially to the west of Revelstoke.

"Starting down in Penticton our daytime highs are still hovering around 1 degree so not too much snow for them. We can expect maybe 2 to 4 centimetres for today and tonight and then moving up into Kelowna a little bit cooler... seeing around zero degrees. So 5 to 10 centimetres in the forecast and up in Vernon we do have a snowfall warning in effect and we are anticipating close to 10 centimetres for some parts in Vernon," said metrologist Derek Lee.

The snow is expected to continue to fall through Tuesday night.

"An intense frontal system will move across the BC interior today and tonight. Light snow will intensify this morning and persist through today, tapering to light flurries or stopping early Wednesday morning. If visibility is reduced while driving, turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance," Environment Canada said.

Winter tires or chains are required on most mountain highway routes in British Columbia from October 1 to April 30. The routes are marked with signs posted on highways throughout the province.

Weather in the mountains can change quickly, drivers should be prepared to adjust to changing road conditions.

For the latest on driving conditions visit drivebc.ca.