Blast of snow expected on the Coquihalla

Nov 14, 2016 | 3:24 PM

KAMLOOPS — If the weather forecast is to be believed, Old Man Winter will make his return to the Coquihalla Highway overnight and into tomorrow morning.

The forecast calls for a significant dump of snow on the highest elevations of the highway between Merritt and Hope, near the Great Bear Snowshed.

Bob Gilowski of VSA Highway Maintenance says that means travelers should prepare for longer commutes.

“We are expecting that we are going to get some widespread snowfall. Snow levels are dropping to 900 metres into tomorrow. That could translate to anywhere from 10 to 15 centimetres of snow in the area known as the snowshed,” explained Gilowski.

“We have always told people to have realistic driving expectation times when they are traveling in winter. It is going to take them longer to travel on that winter road than it would in the summer time. So plan some extra time, and make sure you arrive at your destination safe.”

Gilowski adds motorists should give road maintenance equipment a wide berth, and be patient for equipment operators to pull over and let them by.

“What we want people to do is to stay well back of that unit. Be patient. Don’t try to overtake the vehicle, especially on the right hand side. When it is safe to do so that vehicle will pull over and allow the traveling public to go by.”