Coquihalla Summit in the winter (Photo courtesy of the B.C. Government / Flickr)

By Liam Verster

Up to 25 cm

Heavy, late season snow forecast for Coquihalla Highway

Mar 31, 2023 | 9:21 AM

Winter sorm warnings have been issued for the highways between the Interior and the Lower Mainland are expected to be hit by a late season snowfall.

Environment Canada is forecasting a heavy, late season snowfall for the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt and on Highway 3’s Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

Snow is expected to fall all of Friday and into Saturday night on the Coquihalla. Highway 3 will see snow start to fall Friday afternoon and persist through to Saturday evening.

The weather agency predicts up to 25 centimetres of snow will accumulate on the highways.

The late season snowfall comes as a frontal system slides down the coast and freezing levels stay below the summit levels.

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The snowfall rates are expected to intensify Friday evening, with total accumulations expected to be as high as 25 centimetres. However, Environment Canada said significant snow accumulation won’t be seen until after the roads cool down Friday evening.

Motorists are advised to plan their trip accordingly by being prepared for rapidly changing conditions; carrying emergency items like extra clothing, food and water; and to check the weather forecast and the road conditions at DriveBC before getting behind the wheel.