Drivers are being urged to use caution while driving through B.C.'s high elevation highway passes.
Up to 20 cm of snow is expected to fall in areas like the Coquihalla Summit over the next 24 hours, drastically changing the current conditions; at the time of publication Drive BC's highway cams show the highway as wet but clear, with very little snow in the neighbouring forest.
"An unstable westerly flow will bring snow near the Coquihalla Summit today through tonight. The snow will be at times mixed with rain near the summit, and remain as rain over lower elevations of the route. Snowfall accumulations will depend greatly on the exact snow level," states Environment Canada.
Drive BC has also issued road condition warnings, noting it's already getting slushy in some areas along the Coquihalla.
They've also noted compact snow is now on the Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna, more so on the Merritt end. Other interior highways, like Highway 3 through Manning Park, have cautions due to slippery and occasionally slushy conditions.
There's also a caution due to heavy rain around Cache Creek and Ashcroft which may overflow onto the highway carrying debris. There's also a warning along the Coquihalla about wildlife as fencing was damaged by the wildfires this summer.
Winter tires are also required now for vehicles travelling on interior highways. In B.C., appropriate winter tires are defined as those with either the M+S (mud and snow) or mountain/snowflake symbol. They must also be in good condition with a minimum tread depth of 3.5 mm. Fines run $121.
With files from Elana Shepert
