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Freezing rain and snow warning for region
Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting Ltd. this afternoon (Dec. 8) is alerting regional residents and highways users of incoming freezing rain and snowfall.
A weather event is anticipated to impact the East Kootenay within the next 12 hours. Mainroad’s meteorological service is predicting rain on Tuesday afternoon and turning to freezing rain tonight with mixed precipitation on Wednesday for the Cranbrook and Yahk area. Mixed precipitation will continue through to Wednesday afternoon.
A general two to four centimetres is expected across the Cranbrook and Yahk area with more variable conditions in the alpine regions, Mainroad stated.
A weather system will move across the B.C. interior today through Friday. Mixed precipitation from the system will start this afternoon and quickly changing to snow over the Elk Valley region. The snow is expected to intensify this evening and persist through to Wednesday evening. Total snow accumulations of 15 to 20 cm expected in the Elk Valley.
Mixed precipitation from the system will start this afternoon and quickly change to snow over the Columbia Valley, with more accumulation anticipated for the Panorama area. The snow is expected to intensify this evening and persist through to Wednesday evening. Total snow accumulations of 10 to 15cm excepted in the Panorama area.
Mixed precipitation is forecasted for Fairmont Hot Springs, including a chance for ice pellets Tuesday overnight.
Environment Canada has also issued a snowfall warning for the Kootenay and Yoho national park areas.
Snowfall with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm is expected. Across the Trans-Canada Highway – Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass, approximately 10 to 15 cm of snow fell last night with a further 10 cm expected today. Over Yoho Park-Kootenay Park, 10 cm of snow fell overnight with a further five cm expected today, Environment Canada forecasted.
Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.
Mainroad says motorists may notice its plow units throughout the evening and all day tomorrow.
“We will be proactively treating major routes with anti-icing chemicals ahead of the event arriving, where conditions allow. Our crews will continue applying salt and/or winter abrasive, and performing snow removal operations, where necessary.”
Please check DriveBC for the latest road conditions before heading out. Motorists should expect unsettled weather, drive to the prevailing conditions, and prepare for delays caused by the weather.
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