The Coquihalla highway at the Zopkios Rest Area near the Coquihalla Summit looking north pictured at 10:01 p.m. on Dec. 21, 2025. (Image Credit: DriveBC)

By Victor Kaisar

Travel Woes

UPDATE : Coquihalla travel advisory reinstated as forecast calls for up to 20 cm of snow

Dec 21, 2025 | 1:58 PM

MERRITT — (UPDATE 10:00 p.m.): A travel advisory has been reinstated on the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla, less than eight hours after it was rescinded.

DriveBC says heavy snowfall is in progress on the major B.C. thoroughfare with limited visibility. It’s asking travellers to consider using the Trans-Canada Highway through the Fraser Canyon as an alternate route.

DriveBC is also reporting slippery sections with compact snow on the Coquihalla between Exit 202: Portia and Exit 256: Coldwater, and slushy roads with slippery sections between the Coldwater exit and Exit 286: Merritt.

Environment Canada has maintained a yellow-level snowfall warning for the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla, in particular the Coquihalla Summit, since Thursday (Dec. 18).

“A low pressure system will move through the B.C. Interior tonight, with a weaker system moving through Monday night,” a revised forecast issued at 5:00 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 21) said. “Snowfall amounts tonight are expected to be 10 to 20 cm.”

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While snow is expected to taper off on Monday morning, another period of light snow is expected to pass through Monday evening. Environment Canada notes snowfall totals are expected to be less than the previous systems.

An earlier Sunday forecast was calling for accumulations of around 5 cm during the day Monday and between 10 and 15 cm on Monday night.

“Visibility will likely be reduced at times as weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions,” Environment Canada added Sunday evening. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions [and] for possible disruptions to transportation, services, and utilities.”

The next update on the status of the travel advisory is expected at 2:00 a.m. Monday, Dec. 22.

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

ORIGINAL STORY — A travel advisory that was in effect on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt has been lifted, however Environment Canada is still calling for more snow to fall on the major B.C. thoroughfare.

According to an update from DriveBC, the travel advisory – which told drivers to expect major delays due to winter weather conditions – was lifted around 1:15 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 21).

“Continue to use caution when traveling on the Coquihalla and watch for road crews,” DriveBC said, as it announced the end of the travel advisory, which was issued on Friday (Dec. 19) afternoon and in effect for about 49 hours.

DriveBC is also reporting slippery sections with compact snow on the Coquihalla between Exit 202: Portia and Exit 256: Coldwater, and slushy roads with slippery sections between the Coldwater exit and Exit 286: Merritt.

Environment Canada has maintained a yellow-level snowfall warning for the Hope to Merritt section of the Coquihalla, which was put in place on Thursday (Dec. 18).

“A series of low pressure systems will move through the B.C. Interior over the next couple of days,” a revised forecast issued early Sunday said. “An additional 5 to 10 cm is forecast for today, followed by up to 20 cm tonight.”

“The snow is expected to taper off on Monday morning with accumulations of around 5 cm during the day. However, there could be another burst of snow on Monday night with accumulations of 10 to 15 cm.”

The weather agency is also forecasting windy conditions with periods of reduced visibility in blowing snow. It also warns that road closures are possible.

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