Environment Canada Warns Coquihalla Highway of Snowfall Until Sunday

Environment Canada warned drivers on the coquihalla highway that snowfall starting Saturday afternoon could bring winter driving conditions until Sunday morning. The warning also covers Allison Pass, Pennask Summit and Rogers Pass, with drivers told to allow extra travel time between Hope and Merritt.

Environment Canada Warning

The weather agency said falling snow levels, upper-level instability and moisture will bring the possibility of snowfall accumulations. It added that weather in the mountains can change suddenly, creating hazardous driving conditions.

The warning gives a narrow window for the worst conditions: Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. For drivers on the Coquihalla route, that means the period of risk is tied to a specific stretch of time rather than an open-ended outlook.

Hope To Merritt

Environment Canada singled out the drive between Hope and Merritt as the part of the route where extra travel time should be built in. That is the practical step for anyone already planning to use the highway while the snow is expected.

The alert also reaches other Interior mountain passes, including Allison Pass, Pennask Summit and Rogers Pass. That puts multiple high-elevation routes under the same warning at once, with conditions expected to shift quickly as the snow begins.

Coquihalla Highway 40 Years

The warning arrives as the Coquihalla Highway turns 40 years old this weekend. For drivers, the immediate issue is not the anniversary but the timing: snow could start after noon Saturday and continue into Sunday morning, leaving little margin for normal winter travel speeds.

Anyone using the route during that window should plan for slower movement and changing conditions. Environment Canada’s warning points to a short, defined stretch of time where road conditions may change faster than usual on the mountain crossings.