Snow to fall on highways

Significant snow is expected to fall on mountain passes in B.C.'s Southern Interior Saturday.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement Saturday morning, warning that up 15 centimetres of snow is forecast to fall over the Coquihalla, Okanagan Connector, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton and Rogers Pass.

Meanwhile, upwards of 25 cm is expected to fall over Highway 3, from the Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass.

The snow is forecast to begin falling Saturday afternoon, carrying through to Sunday morning.

“A pacific frontal system is forecast to bring snow to the mountain passes,” Environment Canada says. “Snow levels are forecast to rise overnight however they will stay below the pass summits.”

At lower elevations, wet snow may fall over Kelowna, Vernon and Kamloops beginning Saturday afternoon as well.

Drivers reported extremely slick conditions on the Okanagan Connector Friday night. The highway was closed for several hours after multiple vehicles crashed, but it reopened at about 10 p.m.

Saturday's storm is expected to bring heavy rain to the Metro Vancouver area, with up to 40 mm forecast, while snow is expected to fall over the Whistler and Pemberton area.