For those of you commuting to or from the Lower Mainland today, be sure to tread with caution as icy conditions are on the way. 

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for The Coquihalla (Hwy 5) and the Connector (Hwy 97C) warning motorists of a "wintry mix" of weather between Hope and Merrit, Merritt and Kamloops as well as Merritt and Kelowna. 

Photo credit: DriveBCHwy 5, about 30 km south of Kamloops, looking north.

“Arctic air entrenched in the central interior combined with a Pacific warm front delivering warm moist air aloft will produce a wintry mix today and Tuesday,” says the alert. 

According to the statement, freezing rain or ice pellets will develop this afternoon over the central interior before spreading into the South Thompson region as well as southwest interior highways.

Photo credit: DriveBCHwy 97C, 74km west of Kelowna, looking east.

In addition, the freezing rain will also be present over the Buckley Valley region, including Smithers, around noon today. 

The latest road conditions and webcam images of the highway conditions are always available on the DriveBC website.