Highway 3 between Sparwood and the Alberta border has been closed all day and the District of Sparwood is doing what it can to assist stranded travelers.

“The District of Sparwood has made our Recreation Centre available today for people who were waiting in town for Highway 3 to open,” reported Mayor Lois Halco via Facebook.

“We provided hot beverages and snack foods to make visitors feel safe and welcome. The highway has now been closed for over 24 hours and the winter storm continues with extremely cold temperatures and blowing snow,” she stated, adding,  “This evening, Emergency Services are now assisting and using our facility (Rec Centre) by providing a ‘warming centre.’  Stay safe and warm everyone!”

Temperatures are expected to head toward -40C this evening/morning in the Elk Valley and could head into the -20C range in the western side of the East Kootenay (Columbia Valley and Cranbrook/Kimberley).

All regional highways are covered with snow and are icy in some areas. If you must travel on the highways, please slow down and be prepared for rapid changes in road conditions. Additionally, make sure you have extra winter clothing and such items as blankets, sleeping bags, candles and other emergency gear your vehicles.

Winter has finally arrived! Take it seriously and be careful out there folks.

For those heading to Calgary or other eastern destinations, Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park (at Radium), remains open. Remember that cellphone service is limited in the park and it is remote mountain driving.

Also, bear in mind that a number of highway travelers, especially truckers, are diverting north to Radium and there is more truck traffic than normal along Highway 93/95, meaning clouds of blowing snow as they pass.

As always, keep an eye out for wildlife such as elk and deer.

Above photo: Cranbrook’s Baker Street at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 17. Winter finally arrived in the East Kootenay in the past 24 hours, causing all sorts of travel disruptions and missed shifts, including at the Elk Valley coal mines.