Holiday travel continues to be impacted by weather conditions

KAMLOOPS — Highway travel across most of British Columbia continues to be a concern on Boxing Day as the holiday travel season begins to wind down.

Highway 1 east of Revelstoke closed this morning (Dec. 26) at 9 a.m. for avalanche control work. The stretch of road has been closed intermittently since Christmas eve because of avalanche concerns. It’s estimated the road will reopen around 4 p.m.

Much of the region between Kamloops and Revelstoke is the subject of a Special Weather Statement from Environment Canada. It says a Pacific frontal system will bring a wintery mix of precipitation with a risk of freezing rain to the region. Surfaces such as highways, sidewalks and parking lots may become icy and slippery.

A freezing rain warning remains in effect for highways leading from the B.C. Interior to the Lower Mainland, either through the Fraser Canyon, the Coquihalla or along Highway 3 to Princeton. DriveBC is reporting the closure of Highway 1 in the Fraser Canyon at 9:30 a.m. An avalanche hazard assessment was behind the closure. Drivers should consult the DriveBC website for the latest information on the closure.

DriveBC warns drivers using those routes to be prepared for rapidly deteriorating road conditions and road closures. It has reduced speed limits along parts of the Coquihalla.

Meantime heavy rainfall is the big concern along all major routes through the Lower Mainland. DriveBC is warning drivers of water pooling along highways, creating serious safety threats.

Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings from Squamish to Maple Ridge. It says two successive storms will bring between 60 and 110 mm of rain by late Tuesday evening. The first storm is set to arrive this morning (Dec. 26). Then after a brief break in the afternoon, the second storm will arrive tonight.

Canada’s national weather agency suggests Squamish could see up to 110 mm of rain over the course of the storms while other areas will see 60 to 80 mm. The storms are not expected to hit the Fraser Valley as hard, with 45 mm of rain predicted over the next two days.

Children and pets should be kept away from creeks and river banks because of the threat of erosion causing the banks to fall in without warning.