Image Credit: Drive BC

By Ashley Legassic

COQUIHALLA HIGHWAY

Winter weather expected to slam Coquihalla over next 36 hours

Feb 5, 2020 | 11:01 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — Travellers are already reporting icy conditions on the Coquihalla Highway during the latest winter storm to hit the Southern Interior.

Environment Canada forecaster Doug Lundquist says the Hope-to-Merritt stretch of the highway will be hit hardest today and tomorrow (Feb. 6).

“I’m seeing five to 10 (centimetres) for today, another 10 tonight, and 15 tomorrow,” Lundquist says. “That’s crazy amounts when you add it up, so something like 35 centimetres on the Hope to Merritt, a bit less on the Merritt-to-Kamloops with maybe about 10 centimetres over the next 36 hours.”

Lundquist says the latest system to bring winter back to the Southern Interior will make its way to Kamloops’s valley bottom, so higher terrain will experience worse conditions.

“It’s really a pattern here for the next few days where you really want to perhaps try and plan your trip or maybe delay it, or fit it in if there’s a break. But certainly (it will be) very snowy for the next little bit.”

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Are the B.C. Conservatives digging their own graves?

3h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

Dec 14, 2024

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

Dec 13, 2024

About a week from now, Lundquist is predicting another blast of Arctic air to hit Kamloops.

“Maybe by middle of next week, or late next week we’ll get into Arctic air again. Maybe not as cold as we had in January but certainly colder than we’re seeing over the next week.”