Drivers face slippery conditions as snow falls on B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway

Drive BC webcams show snow falling on the Coquihalla Highway, Nov. 2. (Courtesy: Drive BC)

Drivers are being reminded to obey winter chain and tire signs as snow hits B.C.’s Coquihalla Highway.

Drive BC issued an alert Sunday morning advising the Box Canyon commercial chain-up is now in effect, alongside a webcam shot of a truck leaving tacks behind as it tackled the drifts in the early hours.

Webcams from various points along the major highway, from the Great Bear Snowshed to Mine Creek, show foggy conditions and the roads blanketed with snow.

Videos shared on social media show trucks struggling to make it through the conditions as they travel the highway in a single lane.

Environment Canada forecasted up to 10 centimetres of snow falling on the highway throughout the day on Sunday between Hope and Merritt. The snow will peter off and the fog will dissipate as the day goes on, with the afternoon forecast for cloudy conditions and 60 per cent chance of flurries.

In an update issued Sunday morning, the weather agency said the chance of snow will lessen to 30 per cent throughout the night, before upping back up to 40 per cent by Monday afternoon.

Commercial drivers who travel outside the Greater Vancouver and Greater Victoria areas in the winter are required to carry chains, or other acceptable traction devices, and comply with all signage and regulations.

According to the province, commercial trucks weighing between 5,000 kg and 11,794 kg LGVW must carry chains or acceptable traction devices unless the vehicle is equipped with winter rated tires with the 3-peaked mountain and snowflake symbol or the M+S symbol.

Winter tire and chain requirements for highways located through mountain passes and high snowfall areas are in place until April. 30.