Hazardous snowfall coming to highways throughout southern B.C.

The Weather Network is warning of an intense atmospheric river sweeping southern B.C., leading to treacherous highway conditions.

Meteorologist Nadine Powell said heavy rain began on Sunday morning, then took a break, but is expected to intensify on Monday and Tuesday.

“Rounds of heavy rain and snowfall will be amplified by an atmospheric river tapping into moisture from Southeast Asia,” Powell said. “River levels will definitely be on the rise, but there is some carrying capacity. The bigger hazard will be due to snowfall with travel.”

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) from Hope to Kamloops is expected to receive up to 50 centimetres of snow in higher parts by Tuesday.

The Allison Pass in Manning Park between Hope and Princeton is also expected to be treacherous, with similar snowfall levels.

“Watch for hazardous, slippery travel,” Powell said.

The precipitation, with snow at higher levels, will sweep inland as far as the Rockies, she said. Snowfall levels of up to 40 cm are expected in the Kootenay, Columbia and Rockies regions.

The heaviest rain due to the atmospheric river is forecast to hit the U.S. Pacific Northwest hardest, but this does not come without worries in Metro Vancouver.

The near catastrophic flooding of the Sumas Prairie in November 2021 was caused by flooding of the Nooksack River in Washington State.

Pacific Northwest Weather Watch commentator Michael Snyder said the atmospheric river was developing so far west of Canada and the U.S. that it was being dubbed a “mango express”, compared to the usual moniker “pineapple express”

On Sunday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a rainfall warning from Squamish to Whistler with up to 70 millimetres of rain forecast on Monday morning.

“Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times. Allow extra time to travel,” the agency stated.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre had no flood warnings or advisories as of Sunday Dec. 7 at 7 p.m.

Drive B.C. had no travel advisories as of Sunday Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m.

None of Metro Vancouver’s North Shore ski hills have opened yet.

Whistler Blackcomb opened on Nov. 21 with limited terrain. An adult day ticket for Whistler costs $212 with a base depth of 94 cm

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dcarrigg@postmedia.com