Winter Storm Alert: BC Interior Mountain Passes Under Snow Warning
Travelers navigating through British Columbia's Interior Mountain passes have been put on high alert as a looming low-pressure system gears up to unleash hazardous winter driving conditions across key routes.
Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning encompassing vital highways: the Trans Canada Highway, spanning from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass; the Okanagan Connector, connecting Merritt to Kelowna; Highway 3, ranging from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass and Hope to Princeton; and the Coquihalla, from Hope to Merritt.
According to the latest forecast, significant snowfall is anticipated between Monday and Wednesday morning. The Connector and Trans Canada routes could experience 15 centimeters or more of snow accumulation. However, Highway 3, particularly from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass, faces a more extreme scenario with a staggering 50 to 60 centimeters of snowfall, coupled with heavy winds that could reduce visibility to near-zero levels from Monday afternoon until Wednesday morning.
Similarly, the Coquihalla, spanning from Hope to Merritt, and a section of Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass, are predicted to encounter 30 to 50 centimeters of snowfall.
The official Environment Canada warning issued Monday detailed the arrival of successive weather systems expected to bring heavy snow to the BC Interior. A frontal system preceding a slow-moving low-pressure system could persist until early Wednesday, heightening the risk of severe snowfall.
The most intense snowfall is forecasted for Monday night through Tuesday, with the weather agency cautioning about blizzard-like conditions over the highest elevations. Strong winds, frigid wind chill, and near-zero visibility are anticipated, posing significant challenges for commuters.
Environment Canada emphasized the potential for rapidly accumulating snow, potentially impeding travel and leading to transportation delays in affected areas. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and consider altering travel plans if possible to ensure safety during this period of inclement weather.
