Prepare for heavy snow on mountain pass highways

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – If you’re driving through a mountain pass today, prepare for rain changing to heavy snow.

Environment Canada has special weather statements in effect for many key routes including the Okanagan Connector and Coquihalla.

“One thing that drivers using the Coquihalla Highway and the Okanagan Connector systems will be reminded of is that conditions can change very, very quickly — especially this time of the year,” says Bob Gilowski with VSA Highway Maintenance, which looks after some of those major routes.

“It could be springtime in the valley bottoms and then change very quickly to winter driving conditions,” he adds.

Gilowski is also reminding you to make sure your car is properly equipped.

“Don’t let the good weather in the valley bottom — such as the Lower Mainland or even in the Okanagan — fool you into a complacency. It is still winter over the higher elevation passes. So, if you encounter winter driving conditions, slow your vehicle down.”

If you’re travelling on those highways, you must have winter tires on your car until the end of the month.

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