(Update @ 7:20 p.m.): Hwy 3 east of Christina Lake has been reopened after an earlier closure. 

DriveBC said the avalanche threat has been reduced. 

(Original story @ 5:10 p.m.): Anyone heading east to the Kootenays will want to avoid using Hwy 3 to do so this evening.

The highway is closed around 15 kilometres east of Christina Lake, but it’s not due to poor weather.

It’s this beautiful spring weather that we’ve seen over the last few days that has brought on a high avalanche hazard in the area.

As a result, the Ministry of Transportation has closed Hwy 3 until further notice.

There’s no immediate detour available, but drivers do have the option to pass through the North Okanagan and take the lengthy Hwy 6 detour into the Kootenays.

However, travellers who try that detour will also need to detour around avalanche control work near the Kootenay Pass, which lasts until 10 p.m.

Anyone with a valid passport or Nexus card could also try their luck heading south of the border to bypass the area.

At this time, there’s no estimate on when the road will reopen to traffic, but DriveBC will provide the next update at 8 p.m.