SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT Saturday, November 2, 2024:
Coquihalla Highway (Hwy 5) and Okanagan Connector (Hwy 97C) drivers should brace for a challenging start to the week.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Weather Statement for mountain passes in southern B.C., including Coquihalla and the Connector, with heavy snow, high winds, and poor visibility forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
Expect strong south winds on Monday, turning west-northwest by evening. Snow accumulations could exceed 20 cm on the higher summits, like the Coquihalla and Kootenay Pass, with blowing snow likely to reduce visibility.
Conditions are predicted to remain hazardous into Tuesday due to ongoing gusts.
Current Conditions (as of Nov 2, 1 PM PDT):
Coquihalla Summit: 0.5°C with light snow and winds up to 24.4 km/h from the northwest. Snow depth stands at 14.4 cm.
Pothole Lake (97C): 2.6°C, minimal snowfall, winds at 10.9 km/h, with the road surface near freezing.
Walloper Pit (Hwy 5): 1.7°C with recent snowfall, 13.6 cm on the ground, and gusts up to 17.8 km/h.
Safety Advisory: Check DriveBC for up-to-date road conditions, and monitor Environment Canada alerts. Plan for possible delays and use extreme caution as weather can shift suddenly in mountainous regions.
For severe weather reports, contact BCstorm@ec.gc.ca or use #BCStorm on social media.
Coquihalla Highway 5 & Okanagan Connector 97C Road Report
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