UPDATE: First significant snow wreaks havoc on roads across Thompson-Okanagan
Snowy and icy roads are causing accidents, road closures and delays today throughout the Thompson-Okanagan region.
The RCMP has ordered the closure of Highway 97C effective immediately due to the treacherous road conditions at the higher elevations, according to a media release. The closure will remain in effect until further notice. The RCMP is currently blocking access to westbound traffic and turning vehicles around until flagging crews arrive.
Highway 97C's westbound lanes were closed between Kelowna and Merritt earlier today, Nov. 4, due to a vehicle incident.
? REMINDER - #BCHwy97C CLOSED Westbound due to a vehicle incident between Junction #BCHwy97 and Pennask Summit, between #Merritt and #Kelowna. Assessment in progress. Detour #BCHwy3 or #BCHwy97 to #Kamloops. #PeachlandBC
?? For more info: https://t.co/SQZ7pMWLXh pic.twitter.com/lkpQvkV8kD — DriveBC (@DriveBC) November 4, 2022
Highway 3A is currently closed in both directions due to vehicle incident between Twin Lakes Road and Junction Highway 97, according to DriveB.C.
This, everyone, is why I’m very pro active transport. While everyone was spinning out on Springhill, this lovely person was having no traction issues @Kamscan @cityofkamloops pic.twitter.com/mtZAZxtCrb — Keegan (@kcrafter101) November 4, 2022
Highway 5A recently reopened between Princeton and Highway 97C after a vehicle accident. It also recently reopened in both directions between Campbell Creek Road and Separation Road, 10 km south of Kamloops, after a vehicle incident. Expect delays in the area, according to DriveB.C.
Major delays in both directions are expected along Highway 3 west of Princeton due to a vehicle blocking the highway.
Drivers in the northbound lanes of the Coquihalla should also expect delays after a vehicle incident north of Merritt.
READ MORE: Time to get out the snow shovels in Kamloops, Okanagan
Drivers are also being asked to avoid non-essential travel along Highway 1 between Sicamous and the Alberta/B.C. border due to "adverse weather conditions."
Overnight, multiple road closures and accidents were reported across the Interior, affecting main transportation routes like the Coquihalla and the Trans-Canada Highway.
A snowfall warning was in effect across much of Southern B.C., including for the Coquihalla, Highway 3, Highway 1 and Highway 97C.
“An atmospheric river moving across the Okanagan is bringing wet snow to the region. Wet snow will continue tonight before transitioning to periods of rain Friday morning,” according to a statement from Environment Canada. “Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions. Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult.”
@daviddean140
The Okanagan could see between 10 to 15 cm of snow today with more expected at higher elevations.
For the very latest weather warnings, check out Environment Canada's public weather alert page here.
For up to date information on road and highway conditions, go to Drive B.C. here.
— This story was updated at 11:49 a.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, to provide new information on highway conditions and closures.
— This story was updated at 1:48 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, with more new information on closures.
— This story was updated at 2:17 p.m. Friday, Nov. 4, 2022, to say Highway 97C had been closed by RCMP.
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