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Compact snow and slippery roads in store for Christmas travel today

Compacted snow and slippery conditions are being reported on the Coquihalla and other travel routes throughout B.C. as snow starts to fall again, piquing the promise of a white Christmas.

'Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,' warns Environment Canada

CBC News ·
A satellite map of western Canada today from Environment Canada showing the low pressure system moving up from Oregon into B.C., and bringing snow. (Environment Canada)

It's beginning to look like a white Christmas on some of B.C.'s most treacherous travel routes.

Compacted snow and slippery conditions are being reported on the Coquihalla Highway 5 and other travel routes throughout B.C. as snow starts to fall again.

Five to 10 centimetres of snow is expected in the Fraser Valley as a moist low pressure centre over northwest Oregon tracks north and hits the cool air in B.C.

"Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions," said an Environment Canada alert for the Fraser Valley today.

Snow alerts issued

In higher elevations on the Lower Mainland — such as South Surrey and White Rock — wet snow is falling.

By late morning new alerts for the the Okanagan Valley, South Thompson and Shuswap predicted 10 to 15 centimetres of snow, tapering to flurries in the evening.

On Vancouver Island drivers are also reporting heavy wet snow on the Malahat Highway from Mill Bay to Langford. More mixed snow and rain are predicted for Vancouver Island in the next few days.

Other parts of the province will see sun, clouds and some overnight snow and freezing.

Wet snow is coating the Malahat Drive that links communities on Vancouver Island as some travellers head out to begin holiday travel. (DriveBC)

Temperatures across B.C. range from 4.6 degrees Celsius in Howe Sound to -18.5 degrees Celsius at the Burns Lake Airport.

Arrive early for ferries and flights

BC Ferries passengers are warned to go early as Dec. 23 is one of the busiest day of the year, with sailing waits sometimes even extending to include walk-ons.

Vancouver airport is also warning passengers to come early as security will be busy today with holiday travellers.

Other closures or alerts:

  • Lane closure on Highway 1 will be in effect 15 kilometres east of Sicamous Dec. 23 from 1 p.m. PT until 4: 30 p.m. PT for maintenance.
  • Big Bar Ferry out of service
  • Highway 37A is closed in both directions for avalanche control starting Dec. 23 at 1 p.m. PT until 4 p.m. PT.
  • A washout yesterday closed Highway 97 in both directions about 21 kilometres south of Bear Lake.
  • Ice flow conditions have forced the closure of the McLure and Little Fort Ferry across the North Thompson River.
  • And DriveBC is reminding people that Highway 101 will closed between Bay and Davis Roads for annual Polar Bear Swim on Jan. 1.
Snow is falling on the Coquihalla and other major highway routes across B.C. as many people begin their journey home for Christmas. (Yvette Brend/CBC)

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