Highway 97C reopens after hours closed due to snowfall, crashes – Kelowna News
UPDATE 8:35 p.m.
DriveBC is reporting that Highway 97C is now clear and reopened.
A winter storm warning on the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to Kelowna remains in place from Environment Canada, with snow expected over high-elevation highway passes.
Between 5 to 10 cms are expected to fall tonight.
UPDATE 7:45 p.m.
Highway 97C is still closed to westbound traffic at the Highway 97 junction.
DriveBC says its next update is due at 8:30 p.m.
UPDATE 5:20 p.m.
A staggering 45 centimetres of snow has fallen on the Okanagan Connector since the storm’s onset.
The highway remains closed to westbound traffic due to treacherous conditions. DriveBC says its next update is due at 7:15 p.m.
A driver who came down Highway 97C eastbound says the hill is littered with trucks jackknifed or into the centre barrier.
“Precipitation has eased off for a few hours. However, more organized flurries are expected late this evening giving additional snowfall amounts near 5 to 10 cm tonight,” said Environment Canada.
Residents of Trepanier Road, one exit up Highway 97C, say they have received 45 cm so far.
Snowfall warnings in the valley bottoms have now been lifted, but remain in place on some mountain passes where drivers have been reporting white-knuckle conditions.
Alerts are still in place for the Okanagan Connector, Highway 3, Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass, and Trans-Canada Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass.
Highway 3 between Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass should get an additional 20 to 25 cm tonight.
Another 15 to 20 cm will fall on the Trans-Canada between Eagle Pass and Rogers Pass.
UPDATE 2:15 p.m.
RCMP are blocking access to the Okanagan Connector at Highway 97 due to hazardous driving conditions.
“BC Highway Patrol has ordered the closure of Highway 97C effective immediately due to the treacherous road conditions at the higher elevations,” said RCMP in a news release.
“The closure will remain in effect until further notice.”
The highway remains open to eastbound traffic.
UPDATE 12:25 p.m.
DriveBC is reporting Highway 97C is now closed westbound between Merritt and West Kelowna.
A traveller that just travelled through tells Castanet there are a dozen vehicles in the ditch and several spun out commercial vehicles.
There is no estimated time of reopening. DriveBC says the next update is due at 4 p.m.
UPDATE 11:55 a.m.
DriveBC is reporting both Highway 3A, between Kaleden and Twin Lakes, and Highway 5A south of Aspen Grove have now reopened to traffic.
There are now reports of a vehicle incident slowing northbound traffic on Highway 5 north of Merritt. Drivers are being told to expect delays.
There are also reports of a vehicle blocking Highway 3 just west of Princeton. “Expect majors delays in both directions,” says DriveBC.
Unless you absolutely have to travel over the mountain passes, it is best to delay your trip.
ORIGINAL 10:30 a.m.
More snow is on the way to the Thompson-Okanagan before turning to rain this afternoon, followed by another freeze tonight.
In an updated snowfall warning at 10:05 a.m., Environment Canada said the atmospheric river moving across the Thompson-Okanagan is bringing wet snow to the region.
About 35 centimetres of snow had already fallen on the Okanagan Connector as of 8:30 a.m. with another 15 to 20 cm expected throughout the rest of the day.
The Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt has received 10 to 15 cm, with another 10 to 15 cm on the way. Similar totals area expected on the Highway 3 Hope to Princeton.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” Environment Canada said. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow.”
Freezing levels will be rising to 2,000 metres this afternoon. For context, Pennask summit on Highway 97C is 1,728 metres while the Coquihalla summit sits at 1,230 metres.
The freezing level will then drop back down to the valley bottoms, at around 500 metres, by midnight tonight, likely making roads slick as things refreeze.
Total snowfall accumulations in the valley bottoms are expected to be 10 to 15 cm.
HIGHWAY CLOSURES
There are currently unconfirmed reports that Highway 97C is closed at Brenda Mines due to multiple crashes and slippery conditions.
DriveBC is reporting Highway 3A is closed between Kaleden and Twin Lakes due to a vehicle incident.
Highway 5A is closed south of Aspen Grove due to a crash.
This story will be updated throughout the day with the latest on the snowstorm hitting the region.
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