A blast of winter weather swept through the B.C. Interior over the weekend, bringing snow, freezing rain and icy roadways to the region and leading to multiple crashes and temporary highway closures around Kamloops.
Police say deteriorating road conditions caused several incidents on major routes, prompting renewed warnings from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police about the importance of winter tires and safe driving practices.
Coquihalla reopens after early-morning incident
The Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope reopened Monday morning after a motor vehicle incident forced the major route to close for several hours.
The crash occurred early Monday roughly seven kilometres north of the Zopkios Brake Check, as a low-pressure system moved into the region bringing freezing rain, ice pellets and compact snow.
The closure added to a difficult stretch on Interior highways. On Sunday afternoon, Highway 5 between Merritt and Kamloops was shut down for several hours after RCMP reported multiple crashes south of Helmer Road due to unsafe road conditions.
Additional closure on Trans-Canada Highway
Weather and road conditions also caused problems further east along the Trans-Canada Highway.
The route near Three Valley Gap, between Sicamous and Revelstoke, was temporarily closed in both directions for vehicle recovery operations.
According to DriveBC, the highway has since reopened to single-lane alternating traffic about 15 kilometres west of Three Valley Gap, though delays are expected while traffic control remains in place.
Officials say drivers travelling through mountain passes should prepare for rapidly changing weather and road conditions.
Snowfall advisory for Coquihalla
Meanwhile, Environment Canada has issued a snowfall advisory for the Coquihalla between Merritt and Hope.
Forecasters say the weather system could bring 15 to 20 centimetres of snow, with wind gusts reaching up to 50 km/h, which may significantly reduce visibility and make travel challenging through the mountain corridor.
The Coquihalla remains under a yellow snowfall warning, and motorists are being urged to travel with emergency kits and ensure they have plenty of fuel in case of delays.
The system is expected to move out of the region later Monday evening.
Several highways across the region remained snow-covered Monday, including:
- Highway 5 and 5A between Merritt and Kamloops
- Highway 97C
- Highway 97D
- Highway 8
Authorities say many sections contain slippery patches and compact snow, and drivers should use extreme caution.
RCMP remind drivers: winter tires matter
The weekend weather prompted police to reiterate an annual message to drivers about the importance of winter tires.
“Every year around this time we hear the same question: do I really need winter tires?” RCMP said in a safety message. “The answer is a resounding yes.”
Rubber used in standard tires hardens in cold temperatures, reducing traction and stopping capability. Modern winter tires remain flexible in temperatures as low as –35°C, providing better grip on snow and ice.
Drivers can identify winter-rated tires by symbols on the sidewall, including:
- A mountain with a snowflake symbol, indicating severe winter testing
- M+S (Mud and Snow) markings
Provincial rules also require winter tires to have at least 3.5 millimetres of tread depth.
Winter driving reminders
Police and transportation officials recommend drivers:
- Slow down and allow extra travel time
- Remove snow and ice from their vehicles before driving
- Avoid cruise control on slippery roads
- Carry an emergency kit and fully charged phone
- Check current highway conditions before leaving
Up-to-date road and weather information is available through DriveBC.
With winter conditions continuing across the Interior, authorities say preparation and caution are key to avoiding further crashes on B.C.’s highways.
