Heavy rains – wet snow facing motorists on Kamloops area highways

KAMLOOPS — Environment Canada has issued a series of special weather statements warning of the potential of dangerous driving conditions along highways south and west of Kamloops through Tuesday (Jun. 20) morning.

It says heavy rain from a large low-pressure system over Central Alberta is expected to deliver up to 40 mm of rain to stretches of the southern Chilcotin and northern Fraser Canyon by Tuesday morning. The special weather statement says drivers may encounter water pooling on highways. The system could also produce some localized flooding in the region.

In a separate special weather statement, Environment Canada is warning drivers using the Coquihalla Highway, the Okanagan Connector and Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton, to be prepared for wet snow and slippery conditions over summit areas.

Precipitation is expected to pick up and become steady Monday morning. It suggests drivers along the Okanagan Connector could see up to 5 cm of snow on the road and up to 10 cm of snow on the shoulder.

The national weather agency is strongly advising drivers to use caution when encountering slick conditions.

Conditions are expected to improve Tuesday morning across the region.