More snow on the way for mountain highways

TRANS CANADA CLOSED NEAR REVELSTOKE

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A break from the snowfall on the upper level highways in the Thompson-Okanagan region Saturday after a dump overnight, but not for long.

The meteorologists at Environment Canada are predicting another bout of heavy snow in the mountain passes Saturday night and into Sunday.

A special weather statement has been issued to alert drivers to the 10 to 25 centimetres of snow on it’s way for the Okanagan Connector from Kelowna to Merritt, the Coquihalla between Merritt and Hope, the Trans Canada from Rogers Pass to Eagle pass, and on Highway 3 from Princeton to Hope via the Allison Pass and through the Kootenay Pass to the Paulson Summit.

Roughly five cm of snow fell Saturday morning in advance of the new frontal system making its way east.

Forecasters say the Pacific storm will hit the mountain passes late Saturday evening, dumping snow until Sunday afternoon. The highest amounts of snow will fall on the Coquihalla highway between Merritt and Hope.

Meanwhile, the Trans Canada is closed in both directions from Cragellachie to Revelstoke Saturday because of a car crash. Drive B.C. estimates the route will reopen at 3 p.m. Highway 1 has slushy and slippery sections.

It's winter driving on the mountain highways. Compact snow and slushy sections on the Connector and Coquihalla, with black ice reported for about 34 kilometres between Merritt and the Kingsvale exit on Highway 5.

Expect compact snow and slippery sections if you're heading out on Highway 3 Saturday.

For the very latest forecasts, and weather statements and warnings you can check the Environment Canada website.

The most current highway conditions are available at Drive B.C.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Howard Alexander at halexander@infonews.ca or call 250-491-0331. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.