Image: DriveBC / Highway 5 northbound at Zopkios Rest Area near the Coquihalla Summit looking north, Wednesday morning (Mar. 11)..

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Travel advisory for the Coquihalla

Blizzard-like conditions forecast for the Coquihalla from Hope to Merritt later today

Mar 11, 2026 | 8:32 AM

COQUIHALLA HIGHWAY — Environment Canada is forecasting heavy snow, reduced visibility and “blizzard-like” conditions due to high winds the next 24 hours on the Coquihalla Highway between Hope and Merritt.

According to a statement at 5:19 a.m. Wednesday morning, Environment Canada expects heavy snowfall of up to 60 cm between Hope and the Coquihalla Sumit by Thursday morning, in addition to near-zero visibility due to strong southwest wind gusts of up to 100 km/h.

The national weather agency says snow will intensify Wednesday afternoon into Thursday morning. Strong winds are expected during the same time period.

It says a low pressure system crossing the southwest interior tonight will bring another round of heavy flurries and strong winds to the Coquihalla Highway. Snow will intensify once again this afternoon as the low approaches the highway.

As a sharp cold front associated with this low passes over the area tonight, snowfall will intensify and winds will rise with strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h resulting in near zero visibility in blowing snow.

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The snow level will also fluctuate depending on the rate of snowfall and strength of the southwest winds.

Weather conditions will slightly improve Thursday morning but gusty winds and flurries will continue to give way to periods of blowing snow.

Environment Canada is warning that travel may be hazardous. Visibility may be suddenly reduced to near zero at times.