Rough roads in store for drivers headed for Alberta from B.C.

Travellers returning to Alberta this weekend after spending the holidays in British Columbia are being warned of the potential for harsh winter weather conditions on the roads.

With a strong winter storm expected to hit much of the B.C. Interior on Thursday evening and into Friday, Environment Canada issued a weather alert Thursday to warn drivers. A heavy snowfall that blanketed the Okanagan, South Thompson and Kootenays is shifting northward to Kelowna, Kamloops and farther east toward Alberta.

“We’re likely looking at heavy snow, with 10 to 20 centimetres expected in some areas,” said Alysa Pederson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

The alert covers the Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass. People driving back to Alberta this weekend are being warned that weather in the mountains can change suddenly, and hazardous driving conditions are possible.

Bulkley Valley, Mcgregor, Yellowhead and Williston regions are expected to get the most snowfall over the weekend. The snow will likely reach the Alberta border along most major roadways, but shouldn’t reach as far east as Cranbrook, B.C., in the south, according to Pederson.

There’s also a chance of freezing rain for the central Interior of the province, said Pederson.

Days before Christmas, the Banff National Park area was hit with a snowstorm that brought 80 centimetres of snow, causing closures of significant stretches of roads west of Calgary.

On most routes in B.C., including highways 1 and 3 and the Coquihalla, winter tires or chains are mandatory until April 30.

Pederson said people driving through the area should check weather updates through Environment Canada’s website or app, Weathercan, to be notified of weather changes or warnings. B.C. road conditions can be accessed at drivebc.ca.

“Make sure to have your winter travel gear in your car if you’re travelling through B.C. in the next couple of days because it looks to be pretty snowy,” said Pederson.