Snowfall warning for three major BC highways this weekend
Posted March 17, 2017 8:17 am.
Last Updated March 17, 2017 10:50 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
HOPE (NEWS 1130) – Both Drive BC and Environment Canada are asking drivers to think twice about taking a couple of out of town highways due to a snowfall warning.
The weather agency says a powerful frontal system is approaching BC from the southwest and will begin to spread rain to southern sections of BC on Friday afternoon. And it warns it will turn to snow over high elevation passes, but snow levels will start out quite low.
A snowfall warning is in place for the Sea to Sky Highway in Squamish and Whistler.
Between Friday afternoon and through early Saturday, roughly 15 centimetres of snowfall will fall over the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt, the Allison Pass as well as Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass. And there are concerns snow levels will increase a lot by early Saturday morning, and all precipitation will switch over to rain at that time.
But that will be short-lived as the change back to rain will be brief and snow will again fall later Saturday morning, bringing snow back to higher elevations.
You are being warned to slow down and to be prepared for fast changing and deteriorating road conditions.
Remember you still need winter tires to drive on out of town highways. Look for the mountain or snowflake symbol. If you’re caught without the proper tires, police are able to either turn you around or to slap you with a hefty fine.
