Early snow falls on B.C. highways; drivers warned to watch for changing weather
Drivers travelling between B.C.'s Lower Mainland and Interior are being warned to watch for changing road conditions after late-summer snow fell on multiple highways.
The province's transportation ministry posted to social media Wednesday evening warning drivers of the state of multiple highway stretches.
DriveBC said on Twitter the Okanagan Connector, which stretches between Merritt and Peachland, "skipped pumpkin spice" season and has "gone directly to snow."
Images shared of the highway at about 7 p.m. showed the area near Elkhart covered in white. By the next morning, the sky looked clear and the roads were plowed but snow remained on the side of the highway.
Meanwhile, part of the Coquihalla Highway was also hit by snow between Merritt and Hope. Images taken from Mine Creek showed falling flakes, though it's unclear how much actually accumulated.
It's still summer for about a week and winter tire requirements don't come into effect until Oct. 1 in B.C. Starting that day, chains or winter tires are required on most highway routes in the province.
Those rules remain until April 30, except for some highways not located in mountain passes or high snowfall areas. In those regions, the requirements end March 31.
"These routes are marked with regulatory signs posted on highways throughout the province," B.C.'s transportation ministry says. "We reserve the right to restrict travel at any time of the year depending on road conditions."
Drivers who don't have winter tires or chains on when required may be turned away and fined.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He's in our hearts': Family and friends still seek answers one year after Nathan Wise’s disappearance
It’s been a year since Nathan Wise went missing and his family is no closer to finding out what happened to him.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Ottawa pizzeria places among top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world at international competition
An Ottawa pizzeria is being recognized as one of the top 20 deep-dish pizzas in the world.
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
Wildfire near Fort McMurray more than triples overnight, several evacuation alerts remain in place
The fire burning near Fort McMurray grew from 25 hectares to 5,500 hectares over the weekend.
Putin replaces Russian defence minister in rare cabinet shakeup
Russia’s President Vladimir Putin began a Cabinet shakeup on Sunday, proposing the replacement of Sergei Shoigu as defence minister as he begins his fifth term in office.
Man fatally 'slashed in the neck' in downtown Toronto, suspect outstanding
Police are searching for a male suspect after a man was “slashed in neck” on Sunday morning in downtown Toronto and died.
WATCH Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Edibles, armchairs and adapters: Here are the recalls for this week
Health Canada announced various product recalls this week, including electric adapters, armchairs, cannabis edibles and vehicle components.