Motorists are being warned that heavy snowfall is expected on Highway 3, from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass this week.
Environment Canada explained in a special weather statement that a low-pressure centre will offer up moderate to heavy snowfall on the mountain pass beginning late Tuesday evening.
Snowfall will be heaviest after midnight, then ease Wednesday morning as the low exits the province.
Around 10 to 15 centimetres of snow is forecast for the highway between Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning and snow levels will hover near 1,200 to 1,500 metres Tuesday evening then fall to 800 to 1,000 m overnight.
Winter tires or chains are required on most B.C. routes from Oct. 1 to April 30, though for some highways, the requirement ends on March 31.
Routes where winter tires are required are marked with signs, with the province saying the rule will be enforced by police or other enforcement officials. It added that motorists who aren’t in compliance may be turned away and fined.
Driving conditions are available at www.drivebc.ca.