Winter storm warning in effect for Coquihalla Highway and Okanagan Connector

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Coquihalla Highway from Kamloops to Merritt and the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna on Wednesday (Dec. 17) morning.

As of around 4:20 a.m., Environment Canada says around 10 to 15 centimetres of snowfall has accumulated on both major highways, with two to four more centimetres expected before snow eases on Wednesday morning.

As a cold front moves through the interior, the weather agency says wind gusts are expected to pick up to 90 km/h, which may lead to blowing snow along Highway 5 and Highway 97C.

“Exercise caution when driving in crosswind-prone areas. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced to near zero at times,” Environment Canada states. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. If driving, turn on your lights, slow down, and maintain a safe following distance.”

Further south, a snowfall warning remains in effect for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt as 10 to 15 centimetres is expected before snow eases Wednesday night. Environment Canada says nearly 30 centimetres have already fallen near the Coquihalla Summit since the warning was issued.

More to come….