Highway 5 about 61 kilometres south of Merritt, looking north, at around 4:25 a.m. Tuesday (Image Credit: DriveBC)

By Aaron Schulze

Highway 5 watch

UPDATE: Coquihalla reopens between Hope and Merritt; travel advisory remains with new snowfall warning issued

Dec 23, 2025 | 4:31 AM

UPDATE (1:00 p.m. ): DriveBC says the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt has reopened after an overnight closure.

However, a travel advisory remains in effect and drivers are told to expect compact snow, bumpy sections and narrow lanes due to the heavy snow load.

Environment Canada has also reissued a snowfall warning for that stretch of Highway 5 as between 10 and 15 centimetres of snow is expected to fall on Christmas Eve Wednesday (Dec. 24).

Unlike previous snowfall warnings, this latest warning also includes the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon, which was serving as an alternate route to the Lower Mainland during previous travel advisories.

“A frontal system approaching from Washington will bring snow to Southwestern BC,” Environment Canada said. “The snow will begin early Wednesday morning and intensify later in the day.”

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“Snowfall amounts may reach up to 10 cm for the Fraser Canyon and 15 cm for the Coquihalla Highway.”

Environment Canada says visibility will likely be reduced at times, and it warned that road closures are possible

EARLIER: MERRITT, B.C. — The Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt remains closed in both directions Tuesday (Dec. 23) morning due to multiple vehicle incidents.

DriveBC first reported of the closure affecting traffic just north of the Coquihalla Summit at around 9:30 p.m. Monday. A travel advisory was in place for that stretch of Highway 5 as Environment Canada maintained its snowfall warning, and was calling for betwern 10 and 20 centimetres of snow to fall near the Summit Monday night. 

Environment Canada added heavy snow near the Coquihalla Summit is expected to taper to a few flurries Tuesday morning. DriveBC says crews are working to clear the vehicle incidents and restore traction.

Photos from social media indicated there was a pile up involving five semi-trucks on the Coquihalla Highway near the snow shed. (Image Credit: Facebook/Skilled Truckers Canada)

Photos from social media indicated there was a pile up involving five semi-trucks on the Coquihalla Highway near the snow shed. (Image Credit: Facebook/Skilled Truckers Canada)

Another update from DriveBC on the status of the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt is due around 10:00 a.m. 

You can find the latest weather alerts from Environment Canada here and the latest on highway conditions from DriveBC here.