Snow covered lanes on the Coquihalla about 7 km north of Zopkios Brake Check, looking south as seen on Dec. 20, 2025. (Image Credit: DriveBC)

By Victor Kaisar

Highway Chaos

UPDATE: Coquihalla reopens south of Merritt as drivers warned of hazardous conditions

Dec 20, 2025 | 5:59 PM

MERRITT — (UPDATE 11:15 p.m.): Southbound lanes of the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt have reopened after a vehicle incident that lasted several hours.

DriveBC first notified travellers of the closure between Hope and Merritt just before 3:00 p.m. Saturday. It’s not clear what kind of incident took place, but the highway reopened to traffic about 11:00 p.m.

A travel advisory is in effect in both directions of the Coquihalla and travel is not recommended as Environment Canada is forecasting heavy snow and high winds. Those that do travel on the highway are being told to expect major delays due to winter weather conditions.

The weather agency has revised its forecast and its now calling for between 10 and 15 cm of snow to fall tonight, with another 10 cm on Sunday. A further 10 to 20 cm is expected Sunday night as a series of low pressure systems move through the B.C. Interior.

“The snow does seem like it will taper off Monday morning, however another round of snow is possible on Monday night,” Environment Canada said. “Windy conditions are also expected, with periods of reduced visibility.”

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All travellers on the Coquihalla are being urged to use the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon as an alternate route.

An update on the status of the travel advisory is expected at 12:00 noon on Sunday, Dec. 21.

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