Environment Canada says freezing rain could be on its way to West Kootenay
By Nelson Daily Staff
A storm that dumped 30 plus centimeters on the West Kootenay Sunday and into Monday is not quite ready to leave, just yet.
Environment Canada in an alert “snow will continue tonight and tomorrow with a further 5 to 15 centimetres tonight and another 5 to 10 centimetres on Tuesday.”
However, the fluffy white stuff may soon turn to concrete if milder air flows into the region Tuesday.
“The Arctic air in the valley-bottoms of the Southern Interior is being slowly mixed with milder air moving in at the level of the mountain-tops,” the alert said.
“With more overrunning warm and moist air expected and temperatures persisting below zero in the valleys, freezing rain may develop overnight and Tuesday.”
Environment Canada is asking the public to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve, especially on the Paulson Summit between Castlegar and Christina Lake and the Kootenay Pass.
“Heavy snow will continue tonight,” the alert said. “Further snowfall amounts of 10 to 15 centimetres can be expected by Tuesday morning.”
The Kootenay Pass was closed Monday morning with traffic re-routed through the Kootenay Lake Ferry and Highway 3A.
For travel related information go to Drive BC website.
