UPDATE: Snowfall warnings ended for Coquihalla and Connector; travel advisories remain | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
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Kelowna News

UPDATE: Snowfall warnings ended for Coquihalla and Connector; travel advisories remain

Image Credit: ADOBE STOCK
Original Publication Date December 30, 2017 - 8:50 AM

It appears the worst is over on the mountain pass highways in the Interior.

The last of the snowfall warnings for the upper elevation routes has been ended by Environment Canada this morning, Dec. 30. Forecasters say significant snowfall is no longer expected on the Coquihalla highway, the Trans-Canada or Highway 6.

A travel advisory remains in effect on the Coquihalla Highway and the Okanagan Connector, according to Drive B.C, thanks to the recent snowfall and strong winds. Drivers should expect compact snow, slippery sections and reduced visibility in blowing snow between Kelowna and Merritt, and Merritt and Kamloops.

Travellers on those two highways are also being asked to "exercise caution, and be mindful when approaching snow removal equipment that is working to clean up after the storm."

Environment Canada says a Pacific frontal system dumped 10 to 15 centimetres of snow over the Coquihalla from Kamloops to Merritt, the Okanagan Connector, and Highway 6 throught the Kootenay Pass yesterday, Dec. 29, and overnight.

The same system dropped 20 to 30 cm of snow on Highway 5 from the Coquihalla Summit to Hope, on Highway 6 from the Allison Pass to Hope, and at Rogers Pass on the Trans-Canada Highway.

That system has weakened enought for meteorologists to end the warnings for thos areas.

The snowfall warnings issued yesterday for the Okanagan and South Thompson were ended earlier this morning making way for some sunshine this weekend and below normal temperatures.

For the very latest highway conditions go to the Drive B.C. website here.

The latest weather warnings and forecasts can be found at the Environment Canada website here.

— This story was updated at 9:20 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 to say all the snow warnings for the region had been ended.

— This story was updated at 11:10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, 2017 to include new information from Drive B.C. about the travel advisory on the Coquihalla Highway and Okanagan Connector.


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