Please be advised Highway 3 is closed east of Sparwood at Crowsnest Pass due to extreme weather conditions.

Traffic on the B.C. side will be stopped at the Hwy 3 & 43 Junction (by the Tim Hortons).

UPDATE:

Highway 3 remains closed at the BC/Alberta border due to heavy snowfall and low visibility in Alberta. Eastbound traffic is being held at Sparwood until the highway re-opens.

The estimated time of opening is Monday, February 6, at 9 a.m.

Please check www.drivBC.ca for updates.

Environment Canada also earlier this morning changed its a snowfall watch to a snowfall warning, covering the entire East Kootenay.

A long period of snowfall, with total amounts of 15 to 20 cm is expected.

A low pressure system approaching from the southwest will cross Washington state tonight. Heavy snow will spread into the Kootenays tonight and continue through Monday afternoon. Gusty winds will also accompany the system and producing localised blowing snow.

Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.

DriveBC notes Highway 93 through Kootenay National Park as having compact snow and winter driving conditions at this time.

For this thinking they need to drive west, the highways are equally lousy.

Avalanche Control work is being done on Highway 3, closing the road 30km west of Creston (Kootenay Pass) for 27 km from 12 to 2 p.m. today (Sunday, Feb. 5.) Alternate route available from Nelson to Creston; Hwy 3A, Kootenay Lake Ferry, estimated travel time 2.5 hours.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports to #BCStorm.

Lead image: Highway 3 at Sparwood. DriveBC photo

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