We may be just over a month away from the official start of summer, but a special weather statement is now in effect for a number of highways passes in British Columbia’s Interior.
Environment Canada says snowfall will continue Tuesday over the interior highway passes after already starting to fall Monday night.
It is estimated between five and 15 centimetres of snow will fall by Tuesday afternoon before the snow changes to rain over the Coquihalla Highway and Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass.
Snow will continue into the afternoon over only the summits of Highway 97 – Merritt to Kelowna and Highway 3 – Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.
The highways affected include:
Coquihalla Highway – Hope to Merritt
Coquihalla Highway – Merritt to Kamloops
Highway 3 – Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass
Okanagan Connector – Merritt to Kelowna
Highway 3 – Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass
“Snow on the mountain passes is not uncommon this time of year,” said Global BC meteorologist Kristi Gordon. “We can sometimes see snow at higher elevations into early July.”
The North Shore Mountains have also seen some snow Monday night and into Tuesday. Grouse Mountain will continue to see a mix of snow and rain throughout Tuesday.
It is expected to warm up across B.C. on Wednesday.