Environment Canada has issued five weather warnings to four Okanagan highways for Thursday, Jan. 11.
The Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and from Merritt to Kamloops, the Okanagan Connector from Merritt to West Kelowna, and the Trans-Canada Highway from Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass have all been issued an extreme cold warning by Environment Canada as temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day.
From Thursday into Friday, all four highways are expecting a mix of cold temperatures and strong winds.
“An extremely cold arctic ridge is building over B.C. and pushing south,” said Environment Canada. “Temperatures between -25 to -30 in combination with winds of 30 gusting to 50 km/h with create dangerous windchill values near minus 35 beginning this evening.”
Additionally, Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt also has a snowfall warning in effect as the stretch of highway is expecting 15-20 cm of snow on Thursday morning.
Because of this, travellers could experience blowing snow that could reduce visibility. Weather in the mountains can change rapidly and travellers should also keep extra supplies like jackets, blankets, and jumper cables.
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