Photo shows limited visibility while heading north on Highway 5 a few kilometres south of Barriere at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday evening, April 1.Facebook photo: Pam Jim

Photo shows limited visibility while heading north on Highway 5 a few kilometres south of Barriere at approximately 8 p.m. Sunday evening, April 1.Facebook photo: Pam Jim

Heavy Easter snowfall spoils long weekend for some

Multiple crashes reported on Highway 5 north of Kamloops

  • Apr. 2, 2018 12:00 a.m.

What started as a light fall of snow early Sunday morning, April 1, in the North Thompson Valley became a heavy snowfall that put drivers at risk.

The Easter Sunday snowfall produced giant flakes by mid-afternoon.

As a result of the large buildup of heavy wet snow, area roads became treacherous and visibility became extremely limited.

Motorists and truckers traveling on Highway 5 between Kamloops and Barriere reported multiple vehicles off the road, tractor-trailer units spun-out, with some drivers chaining up to try and get traction.

The snow accumulated so quickly that a number of drivers called for more plow trucks, reporting there was a buildup of four to six inches of packed snow, slush and ice on the highway.

BC Ambulance and Barriere Search and Rescue reportedly attended several accident scenes, and local First Responders were advising travellers to “stay home”.

The storm moved on by Monday morning, but in the meantime motorists were advised to check DriveBC for updates on road conditions, and if they didn’t have to drive that night – don’t.


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