‘Blizzard-like conditions’: Coquihalla Highway upgraded to winter storm warning

KAMLOOPS — Hazardous winter conditions are expected as a winter storm watch for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt was upgraded to a winter storm warning Monday (Jan. 8) morning.

Environment Canada says the stretch of Highway 5 is expected to receive 30 to 50 centimetres of snow from Monday to Wednesday.

The weather agency says the heaviest snow will fall over the Coquihalla Highway from Monday night to Wednesday morning. Wind gusts up to 80 km/h are expected to create blizzard-like conditions with near zero visibility.

Environment Canada is asking drivers to consider postponing non-essential travel on the stretch of Highway 5 until conditions improve. It warns drivers that weather in the mountains can change suddenly and create hazardous conditions.

Winter storm warnings are issued when multiple types of severe winter weather are expected to occur together. The weather agency says a frontal system will sweep through the area today, followed by a slow-moving low-pressure system that will linger through to early Wednesday.

Snowfall warnings are also in effect for the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna and the Shuswap region.