If you have to drive in the East Kootenay today (Saturday, Jan. 23), please be advised to expect conditions to change suddenly.

DriveBC is reporting all regional highways as having slippery sections and Mainroad East Kootenay is noting that today’s weather conditions will provide “a mixed bag.”

Additionally, traffic may be a bit heavier coming through Kootenay National Park (Highway 93) to Radium Hot Springs and up Highway 95 to Golden this morning and early afternoon because Highway 1 is closed four kilometres east of Field due to avalanche control. The highway is expected to re-open around 12:30 p.m.

“It looks like we going to have mixed bag of weather in the region today. Dry at the start of the day with precipitation moving into the area by this afternoon. What form that precipitation will be will depend on where you are in the East Kootenay,” Mainroad East Kootenay reported this morning.

“The Moyie, Kimberley, and Elk Valley areas are expected to see precipitation fall as snow. Everywhere else it is expected to be rain or a snow/rain mixture with the freezing level around the 800 – 900 m mark. Precipitation is expected to taper off as the temperatures cool this evening and the snow level drops,” the regional highways contractor noted in a public release.

In the City of Cranbrook there is the occasional icy section, especially at some stop signs.

Continue to watch for wildlife on and around highways.  With warmer weather the avalanche risk has increased for the area, if you plan to travel into the backcountry in the region make sure you check with Avalanche Canada on current conditions.

Crews will continue to be out actively patrolling, clearing, and sanding/salting as required, Mainroad stated.

Please keep up to date by checking out www.DriveBC.ca before your travels.

Lead image: DriveBC photo of Highway 95 at Brisco.

e-KNOW

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