Highways contractor Mainroad is advising anyone travelling today to use caution, as snow is expected to turn to a mix of rain and snow at lower elevations thoughout the day.
The Mainroad East Kootenay Contracting Service Area received 10 to 20 cm of snow during the night. The weather has since started to change over from snowy conditions to rain/snow and rain in areas. This mixture causes snow that that fell overnight to melt more rapidly and can cause sudden changes in road conditions due to cooler road surface temperatures.
DriveBC has issued province wide emergency message, noting that heavy snowfall is occuring on many routes throughout Friday. The alert advises drivers to consider alternate plans if travelling on Hwy 1, 3, 5, and 5A.
Drivers can expect slushy, slippery conditions over the next couple of hours throughout the Service Area. Mainroad crews are out applying de-icing chemicals and winter abrasives, while still performing snow removal.
A mix of snow/rain is expected throughout the day at higher elevations, and 10 to 15 mm of rain in the valleys. Motorists please adjust your driving to the conditions and stay safe.
DriveBC reports that Highway 3 was closed Friday morning in both directions between the Moyie Wards bridge and the Moyie Swansea bridge, roughly 13 kilometres east of Moyie, due to a vehicle recovery.
As of noon, the highway was reopened, according to DriveBC.
Drivers can always visit www.drivebc.ca to check the latest road conditions before heading out and observations can be reported to the 24 Hour Public Information Hotline: 1-800-665-4929.
