A weather event is anticipated to impact Mainroad East Kootenay Ltd.’s service areas over the next 48 hours.

Mainroad’s meteorological service is predicting varying precipitation including rain and light snow, as well as surface temperatures hovering around freezing, at some locations within the East Kootenay. The mixed precipitation is expected to affect the area through the weekend and beyond.

Most of the precipitation is expected to fall as light rain, which can freeze on the roadways, creating an ice hazard, if temperatures drop below freezing. Mainroad crews will be applying anti-ice chemicals during the event to prevent the formation of ice on the roadway. Freezing rain brings unique challenges because rain can reduce the effectiveness of these chemicals more quickly than snow. Because black ice can still form in some locations, motorists should exercise appropriate caution, particularly in shaded or wet areas and over bridge decks, and when exiting a main highway onto a side road.

The precipitation may fall as snow or rain/snow mix at higher elevations.

“We expect the heaviest-intensity precipitation to fall in the north and west sections of the Service Area (Wasa through the Columbia Valley to Invermere and Radium Hot Springs),” Mainroad stated in an update.

Mainroad will be applying anti-icing chemicals and performing snow removal operations where necessary, which will continue on all highways until the event passes and roadways are returned to the acceptable standard.

Mainroad’s 24-hour communications and dispatch office will pass on your observations and concerns when contacted.

Lead image: Highway 93 and 95 junction at Radium Hot Springs earlier this evening (Nov. 15). DriveBC Images

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