Image: DriveBC / The Coquihalla Highway is pictured on Thursday, Dec. 18.

By Aaron Schulze (CFJC Today/B100 Merritt)

Winter storm

UPDATE: Southbound Coquihalla reopens following serious vehicle incident amid 75-cm snow forecast

Dec 18, 2025 | 3:14 PM

UPDATE #2, 8:26 P.M. THURSDAY: DriveBC reported at 8:03 p.m. Thursday night that the Coquihalla Highway has reopened following a vehicle incident that resulted in a southbound closure of Highway 5.

Fraser Valley Today has since learned through a B.C. Emergency Health Services spokesperson that the vehicle incident resulted in three people being transported to hospital.

“BC Emergency Health Services received a call at 2:02 p.m. today about a motor vehicle incident near the Zopkios on-ramp/runaway lane on the Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5),” the statement read from Susan Seto indicated. “Two ambulances with primary care paramedics, an ambulance with advanced care paramedics and an air ambulance responded. Paramedics provided emergency medical treatment to three patients. Two patients were transported to hospital in stable condition. One patient was transported by ground ambulance and then by air ambulance to hospital in critical condition.”

UPDATE 3:22 P.M. THURSDAY: DriveBC reported at 3:01 p.m. that the Coquihalla Highway is closed southbound due to a vehicle incident. An assessment is in progress. Motorists should expect delays. DriveBC says Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge is not an option. Instead, motorists should use Highway 1 through the Fraser Canyon.

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COQUIHALLA SUMMIT — After a 17-hour closure between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon, the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt can’t catch a winter break this week.

Environment Canada is forecasting between 45 and 75 centimetres of snowfall for the Coquihalla Summit by this Saturday as a frontal system approaches the B.C. coast.

The weather agency expects between 10 and 20 centimetres of snow to fall Thursday (Dec. 18), with the heaviest amounts expected in the afternoon and evening hours. Strong wind gusts of up to 80 km/h are also expected Thursday night which could lead to blowing snow.

Environment Canada also notes that a series of low pressure systems will then make its way through the B.C. Interior on Friday and Saturday. It’s forecasting another 15 to 25 centimetres of snow for Friday and between 20 and 30 centimetres on Saturday.

The weather agency expects there to be a brief respite from snow overnight Thursday, noting as well there is “some uncertainty” on the amount of snow expected into the weekend.

This is the fourth weather alert for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt since Monday, following a rainfall warning, a lengthy snowfall warning, and a winter storm warning.

Environment Canada notes travel on the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt will likely be challenging due to visibility being reduced at times and potential road closures.

“Visibility will likely be reduced at times and road closures are possible,” the weather agency added. “Weather in the mountains can change suddenly resulting in hazardous driving conditions.”

You can find the latest weather alerts from Environment Canada here and the latest on highway conditions from DriveBC here.