Highway 5, southbound at Zopkios Rest Area near the Coquihalla Summit, looking north Tuesday morning (Image credit: DriveBC).

By Aaron Schulze

Snowfall Warning

Up to 30 centimetres of snowfall: winter storm warning issued for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt

Dec 17, 2024 | 7:00 AM

MERRITT, B.C. — A special weather statement calling for freezing rain has been upgraded to a winter storm warning for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt.

From Tuesday (Dec. 17) afternoon to Wednesday morning, Environment Canada says the stretch of Highway 5 is expected to receive up to 30 centimetres of snowfall.

The weather agency says the highway will be difficult to navigate due to snow accumulation, and there will be parts of roadway with near zero visibility due to heavy snowfall and gusty winds. Drivers are told to expect delays.

Further east, a snowfall warning was issued for the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna. Environment Canada says between 15 to 20 centimetres of snowfall is expected for Highway 97C from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning.

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Additionally, the weather agency warns of blowing snow as gusty winds are expected to reach 50 km/h Tuesday night.

The warnings are due to a moisture-laden Pacific frontal system that will bring heavy snow to parts of B.C.’s Southern Interior.

The Nicola region is still at risk of freezing rain from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning, while the North Thompson and Shuswap regions can expect snowfall between 10 and 15 centimetres from Tuesday night to Wednesday afternoon.