A heavy weather system is expected to hit Merritt’s highways Tuesday evening, Jan. 5 and into Wednesday morning.

The Coquihalla Summit going southbound should be the heaviest hit area, with light snow expected to begin around 2-3p.m.

Expect rather large snow accumulations for the area with snow becoming moderate at times through the night before breaking up around 3-5am for the lower elevation portions, and breaking up around 7-8am Wednesday morning for the Coquihalla Summit and Pennask.

YRB has provided some numbers for expected accumulations:

  • Highway 5 South from Merritt to the Snow Shed Hill – Anticipated accumulations of 20-35cm tonight and throughout the early morning hours.
  • Highway 97C – Okanagan Connector – Potential accumulations of 10-20cm tonight and into the morning.
  • Highway 5 North from Merritt to Lac Le Jeune – Anticipated accumulations of 5-10cm tonight into tomorrow morning.

They are reminding drivers to use caution around plow trucks, and to never pass one on the right.