Environment Canada has issued a weather warning for some mountain passes in B.C.’s Southern Interior, including the Coquihalla Highway.
Motorists have been advised to expect hazardous, winter-like conditions on Highway 5, between Hope and Merritt, as a Pacific storm moves across the region.
According to the weather agency, heavy snow will persist over the Coquihalla Highway, with the heaviest accumulation expected Friday afternoon.
An additional snowfall of 25 to 35 centimetres can be expected by Saturday morning.
Motorists are advised to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.
The snowfall warnings include the following regions:
- Howe Sound
- Whistler
- Fraser Valley
- Fraser Canyon
- Nicola
- 100 Mile House
- Boundary
- West Kootenay
- Kootenay Lake
- West Columbia
- East Columbia
- Elk Valley
While no warning has been issued for the Okanagan Connector, according to DriveBC, Highway 5C is expecting up to 10 cm of snow on Friday.
Highway 3, between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass, is also expecting hazardous driving conditions with up to 30 cm expected.
In the Lower Mainland, snowfall of 15-25 cm is expected for the Sea to Sky Highway.