Heavy snowfall and accidents have led to the closure of some major highways in southeastern British Columbia. Traffic conditions could remain dangerous there until next week.
Coquihalla Highway was closed Tuesday night between Merritt and Hope. It reopened Wednesday morning.
According to Environment Canada, along this important route that connects the interior to Greater Vancouver, the amount of snow expected was 30 cm in places.
Fatal accident
Traffic on Route 97C, between Kelowna and Merritt, was also disrupted. The entrance to the road from West Kelowna had to be closed Wednesday due to a serious accident.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in West Kelowna revealed late Wednesday that this collision had been deadly
without however specifying the number of victims.
Investigators determined that a westbound pickup truck with a single occupant collided with a snowplow while attempting to pass. Road conditions played a significant role in this collision
can we read in the press release from the GRC.
Part of the Trans-Canada Highway also remained closed in both directions, part of the day, Wednesday, between Golden and Revelstoke, so that avalanche prevention operations could be carried out there.
Armel Castellan, meteorologist for Environment Canada, indicates that it’s not over for the interior of the province
and that lots of snow
should fall in the coming days.
Winter conditions until Christmas?
According to Environment Canada, snow will continue to fall, especially on mountain passes.
The 24th is going to be a really busy day, particularly on the coast and the south of the province.
says Armel Castellan, who forecasts fresh snow and wind in the high passages.
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Highway 5, or Coquihalla, between Merritt and Hope, Wednesday morning.
Photo: Facebook: Shannon Aldruge in the group, Coquihalla Road Reports (And Area)
Elsewhere, rising temperatures can also make road conditions difficult. In Kelowna, for example, after snowfall on Monday and Tuesday and temperatures around 0°C, the temperature rose to 8°C during the day on Wednesday.
The freezing level rises then falls, so we will see both snow and freezing rain, this is perhaps the most complicated hazard precisely during these times of the year. You must therefore be extremely vigilant.
The meteorologist recommends postponing non-essential travel, which is however difficult for some people during the holiday season.
From 1is October to April 30, winter tires are required on most highways in British Columbia. The situation on the roads can be consulted on the site DriveBC (New window) (in English).
