File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today)

By Aaron Schulze

Weather Watch

Snow for the Coquihalla, icy conditions for the Fraser Canyon expected Friday: Environment Canada

Dec 21, 2023 | 10:38 AM

KAMLOOPS — Residents driving between Kamloops and the Lower Mainland ahead of Christmas and Boxing Day may have challenging road conditions Friday (Dec. 22).

In its weather forecast online, Environment Canada says the Coquihalla Highway will see rain changing to snow as temperatures drop from 7:00 a.m. Friday to 12:00 midnight Saturday (Dec. 23). During that time, the weather agency says rapidly dropping temperatures may cause wet surfaces to freeze on Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

“Conditions are not as bad as we sometimes see on the routes, but this is a busy travel time,” said Alyssa Charbonneau, Environment Canada meteorologist. “While the weather is not in the middle of a major snowstorm, we still have some potentially impactful things happening on the highways.”

The stretch of Highway 5 from Kamloops to Merritt is forecast to remain drier but the stretch from Hope to Merritt could see five centimetres of snow during the day Friday and perhaps another two-to-four centimetres in the evening.

Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon is forecast to see rain throughout the day Friday, but Charbonneau skies are expected to clear in the evening. It’s expected to make temperatures drop rapidly below freezing levels and create icy conditions.

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“Even though it’s been fairly mild, you can run into winter driving conditions up on the highway,” adds Charbonneau. “Always be prepared. Check the road conditions before you leave and have an emergency kit in your car.”

While travel conditions are expected to be mild Saturday and Sunday, Charbonneau notes that Environment Canada is tracking some storms that could return to the Southern Interior by Boxing Day.