Long weekend snowfall alerts issued for B.C. Interior highways

A mountainside is covered with snow along the Coquihalla Highway south of Merritt, B.C., on November 22, 2021. (FILE PHOTO) THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Environment and Climate Change Canada is warning drivers travelling on two B.C. Interior highways to expect snowfall over the Victoria Day long weekend.

A special weather statement for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt issued Friday says falling freezing levels bring the possibility for snowfall to accumulate on passes and summits.

“Adjust speeds to road conditions and allow for extra time if road conditions deteriorate,” the notice reads. “Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”

Further east, forecasters say up to 10 centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate on Highway 3’s Kootenay Pass by Saturday afternoon.

The alert says snow levels will drop to around 1,500 metres and the heaviest precipitation is expected on Saturday before tapering to flurries in the late afternoon.