Parts of B.C. hit with more rain, snow and high winds as drivers warned about highway conditions
Coquihalla Highway closed overnight amid warnings of heavy snowfall on mountain routes
Snow, rain and wind warnings remained in effect across much of British Columbia on Wednesday morning as parts of the province continue to be hit by a winter storm.
Environment Canada said heavy snowfall is expected in inland regions of the North Coast, including Kitimat. It said the region could get 15 to 25 cm by Wednesday evening.
Meanwhile, the central Fraser Valley including Chilliwack could get 50-80 millimetres of rain before easing Wednesday morning, the weather agency said. The highest amounts are expected to be near the North Shore mountains, it said.
The weather agency said high streamflows and localized flooding were possible, especially at lower elevations and in areas with poor drainage.
In the Greater Victoria area, a wind warning said gusts of up to 90 km/h could be expected Wednesday morning.
Inland, Environment Canada issued snowfall warnings and special weather statements across many parts of central and eastern B.C.
Highway warnings
The Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt was closed for around 12 hours from around 9 p.m. PT Tuesday due to a vehicle incident.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the highway, with Environment Canada warning as much as 30 centimetres of snow could fall on the route by Wednesday morning. DriveBC said there is limited visibility with heavy snowfall and freezing rain in the forecast.
👋Good Wednesday morning, BC!<br>Lots of active weather today. We have snow in some parts, freezing rain in others - and heavy rain to round things off.<br>Drive with care wherever your travels take you today.<br>Here’s a look around at 5:55am.<a href="https://t.co/MNovn5KGvc">https://t.co/MNovn5KGvc</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy1?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy1</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCHwy3?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCHwy3</a>… <a href="https://t.co/Ac9CTpxiwQ">pic.twitter.com/Ac9CTpxiwQ</a>
—@DriveBCHighway 97C from Merritt to Kelowna is under a snowfall warning — with Environment Canada saying blowing snow could cause near-zero visibility in some sections — as is the Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass section of Highway 1, which could receive up to 30 centimetres of snow.
The Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass section of Highway 3 could receive up to 40 centimetres of snow, Environment Canada warned.
Around half a million B.C. Hydro customers were without power late Tuesday night, mostly in the Lower Mainland, Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island. Power was restored for the majority of customers Wednesday, according to B.C. Hydro's outage map.