Highway weather warning

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the Trans-Canada Highway, Eagle Pass to Rogers Pass, Thursday morning.

The advisory covers the North Columbia, Kinbasket, West Columbia, and Trans-Canada Highway starting Friday afternoon and continuing through the weekend.

Environment Canada says, "prolonged heavy rain this weekend with storm totals of 50 to 80 millimetres of rain. Wet snow is possible for Friday afternoon near Rogers Pass."

The heavy rain is expected to increase the risk of washouts, water pooling on the roads, and swollen rivers and creeks.

"An atmospheric river is taking aim at Southern B.C. and will bring a period of heavy and prolonged rain to the Columbia region beginning Friday afternoon and continuing through the weekend," says the release from Environment Canada.

The Trans-Canada Highway near the Rogers Pass may see wet snow Friday afternoon before it quickly changes to rain as the weather system brings in mild air. Rainfall totals are expected to reach 50 to 80 mm by Monday morning.

Snow fell at Big White Ski Resort Wednesday afternoon and on the Coquihalla and the Okanagan Connector as well.

Environment Canada indicates the snow level is expected to fall to 1,000 metres on Thursday afternoon. Periods of rain are expected to begin Friday afternoon and the snow level is expected to rise from 1,000 to 1,500 metres in the afternoon.

Travellers are also advised to expect fog patches in the early morning, dissipating by early afternoon.