High elevation snow beginning today.
A cold airmass is settling in over the BC Interior and persisting through the weekend. Lowering freezing levels and unsettled conditions will support the chance of snow over higher elevations.
Kootenay Pass has the potential to see a significant amount of snow during this period. Rain will likely give way to periods of snow near the summit on tonight and could persist well into Sunday. At this time, amounts remain quite uncertain, but snowfall accumulations of 5 to 15 cm are possible by Saturday night.
Lesser elevation passes, including Rogers Pass, the Coquihalla Highway - Merritt to Kamloops and the Okanagan Connector, should see snow near the summits beginning today with light accumulations possible through the weekend.
Areas along the BC - Alberta border are expected to see snow as well. In the Elk Valley, freezing levels will hover just above the valley bottom later today and will drop tonight. A changeover to snow is likely tonight with periods of snow possibly persisting through Sunday. Again, accumulations remain uncertain at this time, but 5 to 10 cm by Saturday night is plausible.
A return to drier conditions and seasonal temperatures are expected early next week.
Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.
Road conditions are available at www.drivebc.ca.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to BCstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #BCStorm.