(UPDATE: Dec. 23 @ 1 pm) – The Coquihalla is now open in both directions.

"Expect compact snow, bumpy sections and narrow lanes due to heavy snow load," warns a DriveBC social media post. "Drive with caution and watch for crews."

A travel advisory remains in effect for the route.

(UPDATE: Dec. 23 @ 12:30 pm) – The southbound lanes of the Coquihalla have reopened.

However, the major route remains closed northbound at this time.

(UPDATE: Dec. 23 @ 10:45 am) – The Coquihalla remains shut down in both directions, but it's expected to reopen soon.

According to DriveBC, the estimated reopening time for both northbound and southbound lanes is 12:30 pm today.

The major route has been shut down since late Monday night after being hit by a blast of heavy snowfall, which produced several crashes along the highway.

Photo Credit: DriveBC webcam

(UPDATE: Dec. 23 @ 5:36 am) – The Coquihalla is closed in both directions after "multiple vehicle incidents" overnight, DriveBC said this morning.

The road has been blanketed with dozens of centimetres of snow over the last few days.

It's expected to improve today, however, with Environment Canada ending its yellow warning for snowfall early this morning.

Hwy 3 between Hope and Princeton remains closed due to a previous weather event.

DriveBC has promised an update on the situation along the Coquihalla later this morning.

(UPDATE: Dec. 22 @ 8:30 pm) – A travel advisory is in place for the Coquihalla (Hwy 5) tonight.

Heavy snowfall began around 8 pm and the major route has quickly deteriorated into treacherous driving conditions. Up to 20 cm of snow is expected by Tuesday morning.

Motorists are encouraged to avoid Hwy 5 and anyone needing to travel between the BC Interior and Lower Mainland tonight should consider Hwy 1 as an alternate route.

For commercial vehicles, northbound chain-up is now in effect at Box Canyon.

(Original story: Dec. 22 @ 7:20 am) – More snow on BC Interior highways today.

Environment Canada has yellow warnings in place on both the Coquihalla and Hwy 3 between Hope and Princeton.

The forecaster is warning of up to 15 centimetres of snow on the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt tonight.

That comes after close to 20 cm fell last night.

Environment Canada warned of reduced visibility and potentially hazardous conditions, while DriveBC said motorists should consider taking Hwy 1 instead.

On Hwy 3, meanwhile, up to 15 cm more snow is expected tonight. 

That follows 20 cm last night.

“Visibility will likely be reduced at times,” Environment Canada’s bulletin warned.

Thumbnail photo: DriveBC images of the Coquihalla early this morning.