B.C. highways under special weather statement due to windstorm

Vehicles drive along the Coquihalla Highway, January 19, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

A windstorm moving into British Columbia’s southern Interior has prompted Environment Canada to issue special weather statements for a pair of major highways.

The weather office says a “vigorous trough” will bring strong winds gusting up to 80 km/h on the Coquihalla Highway and the Okanagan Connector.

The statement covers the Coquihalla Highway between Hope, Merritt and Kamloops, and the Okanagan Connector between Merritt and Kelowna.

The southwesterly winds are expected to develop Wednesday afternoon and present challenging driving conditions for tall vehicles and trucks.

The winds are expected to ease to moderate gusts by midnight.

Environment Canada urges drivers in the statement to monitor highway forecasts before proceeding through the area.

“Weather in the mountains can change suddenly, resulting in hazardous driving conditions,” the agency said.