Snowfall warning issued on Coquihalla south of Merritt; winter storm warning on Trans-Canada

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla, with between 15 and 20 cm of snow expected to fall between Sunday and Monday morning.

“A persistent upslope flow along the Coquihalla Highway combined with dropping snow levels will bring 15 to 20 cm of snow near the Coquihalla Summit on Sunday through Sunday night,” Environment Canada said. “Snow will taper off to a few flurries Monday morning.”

The weather agency said the snow will lead to challenging driving conditions on the highway, and on the Trans-Canada Highway between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass, where a winter storm warning was issued early this morning.

A strong Pacific frontal system will bring periods of heavy snow to Rogers Pass beginning tonight,” Environment Canada said. “Total snowfall accumulations will reach near 30 cm by Sunday evening.”

DriveBC says the Trans-Canada is expected to close in both directions between Revelstoke and Golden to allow avalanche control work to take place. Crews are expected to be working between 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m Sunday, March 9.

While temperatures have been well above seasonal for the past few days, winter tires or chains are still required on both the Trans-Canada east of Kamloops to the Alberta border as well as on Highway 5 north and south of the City until April 30.

You can find the latest on road conditions from DriveBC here, and the latest weather alerts from Environment Canada here.