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Snow blankets mountain highways

Motorists heading out in and out of the Okanagan and Shuswap should take precaution
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Compact snow on Highway 97C

Motorists are being warned to leave time, be prepared and drive to the conditions as snow and ice continue to blanket mountain highways in the Southern Interior.

DriveBC reports slippery conditions, dense fog and compact snow on Highway 1, Highway 97C, Highway 5 and Highway 97.

Conditions are particularly bad on the Coquihalla, the Okanagan Connector and through Rogers Pass.

Motorists are reminded that provincial tire requirements are in effect and all vehicles must have four matched winter tires that carry the mountain/snowflake winter tire symbol and with tread no less than 3.5 mm or four matching tires marked with an M+S (Mud and Snow) symbol.

While both are legally acceptable, the province warns the M+S tires do not provide the same degree of performance as a mountain snowflake tire in severe winter conditions.

As for the Valley floor, the first real sign of snow is expected tomorrow morning with up to five centimetres of the white stuff forecast in Kelowna, Vernon and Salmon Arm. Some wet flurries are also in the forecast for Penticton.

For more information on driving in winter conditions, click here.

For up to date details on highway conditions and road closures check DriveBC.

You can also monitor Environment Canada for alerts, warnings and updated forecasts.

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