Early-season snow expected on B.C. mountain highways
Posted September 28, 2023 11:16 am.
Last Updated September 28, 2023 11:17 am.
Autumn may have just begun, but an early bout of winter is expected to hit some of B.C.’s mountain highways Thursday.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), two centimetres of snow is expected to fall on the Okanagan Connector (Highway 97C), and the Kootenay Pass on Highway 3.
“An upper trough over the B.C. Interior will bring cool and unsettled conditions tonight. Snow levels will lower to near 1500 metres allowing the precipitation to fall as snow near Pennask Summit on Highway 97C and near Paulson Summit and Kootenay Pass on Highway 3,” the agency said.
Read More: What’s in the forecast for Metro Vancouver’s fall and winter?
ECCC says the snow levels are expected to increase during the day on Friday.
The forecast comes just days before winter tires or chains are required on most major routes in B.C. The law goes into effect on Oct. 1, stretching until April 30.
Once the law kicks into effect, drivers caught in violation could face a ticket of $121, or up to nearly $600 for commercial vehicles.
