British Columbia's highways are facing severe disruptions due to extreme winter weather, leading to multiple travel advisories and road closures across the region.
On December 17, 2024, DriveBC issued warnings about hazardous driving conditions primarily attributed to heavy snowfall and limited visibility on several major routes throughout the B.C. Interior. Among the routes affected are Highway 5 between Hope and Kamloops, Highway 5A from Princeton to Aspen Grove, and the Okanagan Connector. Drivers are urged to exercise extreme caution, adjusting to rapidly changing road conditions.
Environment Canada has declared winter storm warnings for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt, where snowfall accumulations could reach up to 30 centimetres by Wednesday morning. According to their forecast, snow will be heavy at times, expected to last through Wednesday morning before gradually easing.
Besides snow, freezing rain is projected to affect parts of B.C.'s Southern Interior, covering extensive highway stretches including Highway 3, the Coquihalla Highway, and many areas of the Similkameen and Nicola regions. This combination of moisture and cold weather is anticipated to create dangerous travel conditions, putting drivers at risk of accidents and making it difficult for utility companies to maintain service, potentially causing power outages for residents.
Earlier advisories indicate the North Okanagan, Central Okanagan, and Elk Valley are no longer expecting heavy snow but other areas are bracing for significant weather impacts. The East Kootenay, Shuswap, Arrow Lakes, Boundary, and West Kootenay regions are predicted to experience heavy snowfall amounts ranging from 15 to 50 centimetres on Tuesday night through Wednesday morning. A reported 30-centimetre accumulation is expected on Highway 5, according to warnings from Environment Canada.
Further complicates the situation, as of early December 18, 2024, the Coquihalla Highway remains closed due to incidents attributed to the severe weather. The highway has been shut down since approximately 9 p.m. on December 17 following vehicle crashes around the Kingsvale area, causing significant traffic disturbances on this major southern corridor. DriveBC reports there is no estimated time for when the highway will reopen, leaving drivers dependent on alternative routes via Highway 1 and Highway 3.
With worsening conditions, travel advisories indicate significant delays and dangerous traveling circumstances across the mountain passes. DriveBC is actively updating its advisories and urging precaution for any travel. Local authorities continue to advise all drivers to prepare for changing road conditions due to rain, snow, and ice.
Snow remains the primary concern, especially as Environment Canada predicts heavy snowfall to continue throughout the day, impacting many regions north and south of the affected areas. The Coquihalla is not the only highway experiencing issues; on Highway 97C from Merritt to Kelowna and Highway 1 between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass, expect additional snowfall and associated challenges such as near-zero visibility.
Alongside these alerts, B.C. Hydro reported significant outages, leaving around half a million customers without power mainly across the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island. Fortunately, power restoration efforts were underway, with most customers regaining service by Wednesday morning.
For anyone traveling through these affected areas, authorities are reminding all to slow down, exercise caution, and remain vigilant of changing weather and road conditions. The risks of icy road conditions foreshadow even more significant travel disruptions, so staying informed via DriveBC and Environment Canada reports is advised.
Local weather conditions continue to be monitored, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
