Mother Nature gives region one last taste of winter
By Nelson Daily Staff
Technically, there are another few days of winter 2015 according to the calendar.
And Mother Nature won’t let us forget it despite the spring-like past four weeks.
Marc Dale at YRB is advising the travelling public to take extra caution when driving thanks to a late winter storm heading through the West Kootenay.
“We have received 30 millimeters of rain in the valley’s over the past 24 hours with steady rain to continue overnight and taper off mid-morning Monday,” said Dale, Operations Manager for Yellowhead Road & Bridge Ltd. (YRB).
Dale said YRB has reviewed multiple forecasts and the highway passes are and will be experiencing extreme snowfall above 1000 meters.
“We have received 20-25 cm of snow over Kootenay Pass with another 25-35 cm expected tonight, tapering off mid-morning Monday,” he said.
“Highway 3 over Kootenay Pass has slushy sections beginning at 900 – 1000 meters and higher elevations are compact.
“The temperatures at the summit are hovering around zero with moderate to heavy snowfall.
Dale is advising anyone traveling over highway passes to allow extra time and drive with caution.
“Be prepared for highway maintenance plow trucks and sanders and allow them plenty of room to keep the roads cleared,” Dale said.
“Visibility is reduced due to heavy snowfall and fog is persistent due to temperature fluctuations,” Dale added.
The Environment Canada forecast through Monday calls for Periods of rain mixed with snow with rainfall amount 10 to 15 mm.
Monday, rain at times mixed with snow early in the morning with periods of rain ending near noon and the snow level rising to 1200 metres in the morning.
For current driving conditions please go to www.drivebc.ca
And for those keeping score at home, the first day of Spring is Friday, March 20.
