UPDATE: Winter storm warning issued for Coquihalla Highway

UPDATE 12 p.m.

Environment Canada has issued a winter strom warning for several mountain highway passes in the B.C. Interior.

The agency says snow mixed with rain is expected to start tonight on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt, followed by heavy snowfall for most of Saturday.

Between 20 and 30 cm’s could fall before the snowfall eases on Sunday morning.

The Hope-Princeton Highway and the Trans Canada Highway in the Rogers Pass are also expected to see heavy snow.

Original story

A heads up for drivers taking the Coquihalla Highway this weekend.

In a special weather statement online, Environment Canada says prolonged snow is expected to start Friday (Nov. 10) night on the stretch of Highway 5 from Hope to Merritt, gathering a total near 20 to 30 centimetres by Sunday morning.

The weather agency said snow mixed with rain is expected to start Friday night, then change to snow Saturday morning and continue through the night. Snow is expected to ease Sunday morning.

It’s due to a weather system crossing southern B.C. that will bring heavy snow over some Interior highways.

Environment Canada warns drivers that difficult travel conditions and reduced visibility may come with snow or blowing snow, and weather in the mountains can change suddenly.

Similar alerts are in effect for the Trans Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass and Highway 3 from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.