Okanagan Connector closed by Mounties as heavy snowfall stymies travel

Heavy snowfall across B.C.’s Southern Interior caused chaos on area highways and mountain passes.

The Okanagan Connector was closed Friday afternoon following a crash by the Pennask Summit, between Merritt and Kelowna.

“BC Highway Patrol has ordered the closure of Highway 97C effective immediately due to the treacherous road conditions at the higher elevations.  The closure will remain in effect until further notice,” Kelowna RCMP said in a press release.

“The RCMP is currently blocking access to westbound traffic and turning vehicles around until flagging crews arrive.”

Elsewhere, a portion of Highway 5A closed between Princeton and Aspen Grove, and a part of Highway 3A between Twin Lakes Road and Kaleden Junction at Highway 97 were closed in the morning and have since been cleared.

Due to heavy snow, there are numerous travel advisories in effect. Drive BC issued a warning for Highway 1, between Perry River Bridge east of Sicamous and the  B.C., Alberta border.

Motorists are advised to avoid non-essential travel, use caution and expect closures on short notice.

A travel advisory is also in effect for Highway 93 between Radium Hot Springs and the B.C.-Alberta border for adverse weather conditions.

The crashes, closures and warnings came as an atmospheric river storm system moved over southwestern B.C., prompting a snowfall warning for several mountain highways, including the Coquihalla, Okanagan Connector, and Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton.

From Thursday night until Friday morning 15 to 25 centimetres of snow were forecast to fall.

“Freezing levels will rise to 2,000 metres this afternoon changing the snow to rain. The precipitation will ease this evening,” Environment Canada said on Friday.

Rapidly accumulating snow, the national weather agency said, will make travel difficult.