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Chaos on the Coquihalla: Snowstorm, white-out conditions shut down major B.C. highway

Conditions on Highway 5, about 7 kilometres north of the Zopkios brake check on Monday afternoon. DriveBC

Near white-out conditions are causing havoc on the Coquihalla highway, prompting a sudden closure on Monday afternoon.

Just before 1:30 p.m., B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation alerted the public via DriveBC that the highway was shut down in both directions between Hope and Merritt, due to multiple collisions.

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The ministry said none of the accidents are major but there have been “multiple minor incidents” at Larson Hill, which has received over 40 centimeters of snow.

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Commuters are advised to use alternate routes.

The next update will be at 4:00 p.m. and there is no estimated time of re-opening.

The Coquihalla was closed between Hope and Merritt on Monday afternoon due to treacherous road conditions. DriveBC

The transportation agency is advising motorists to postpone non-essential travel on B.C. Southern Interior mountain passes due to potentially hazardous conditions.

A travel advisory remains in effect due to limited visibility and blowing snow.

The winter storm has hammered much of southern B.C., causing dicey road conditions and power outages.

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Up to 20 cm of snow is forecast to fall in the Okanagan on Monday, with up to 40 cm expected on some high elevation travel routes.

Click to play video: 'Power has now been restored to 3,900 customers in the Kelowna area following a powerful wind storm Wednesday night'
Power has now been restored to 3,900 customers in the Kelowna area following a powerful wind storm Wednesday night

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