B.C. drivers are being urged to avoid non-essential travel on several key routes throughout the province, as a winter storm bears down.
Environment Canada has issued winter storm warnings for multiple highways, including the Sea to Sky Highway from Squamish to Whistler, and the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt.
Coquihalla
The agency said up to 35 centimetres of snow could fall on the Coquihalla by late Thursday, as an “intense” Pacific system moves over the area.
It says freezing rain is also possible for sections of the highway Thursday morning and early afternoon, but the snow should shift to rain by Thursday evening.
However, the rain is forecast to change back to snow on Friday.
Sea to Sky
On the Sea to Sky, drivers are being warned to expect up to 15 centimetres of snow in the area near Squamish, forecast to begin falling Wednesday evening.
Closer to Whistler, Environment Canada said up to 30 centimetres of snow could fall by Thursday afternoon.
The agency said the shift from heavy snow to rain near Squamish should begin overnight and progress toward Whistler on Thursday.
Drivers on either route are required to have winter tires with either the M+S or the mountain and snowflake symbol.
WATCH: Travel advisories in place for Alberta and B.C. roads due to blowing snow
Crowsnest Highway
Driver’s headed along Highway 3 in B.C.’s south are also in for nasty conditions, with a warning in place for the stretch from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass.
Environment Canada said snow will begin along the route on Wednesday evening, and intensify throughout the night before changing to rain or freezing rain Thursday morning.
It says snowfall amounts of up to 20 cenitmetres are expected, and that drivers should consider postponing non-essential travel along the highway.
A warning is also in place for the stretch of the highway from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass, with between 25 to 45 centimetres forecast by Friday.
Highway 1
In eastern B.C. a winter storm warning is in effect for the Trans Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.
Environment Canada is warning of snowfall accumulations of between 25 to 40 centimetres, with up to 50 centimetres near Rogers Pass.
The agency says the front is expected to remain stalled across the area until Thursday evening.
For the latest on the status of this highway closure, visit DriveBC’s website.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Transportation was forced to close the highway in both directions near Golden for more than an hour after multiple vehicle incidents.
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