Pine Pass winter storm warning brings hazardous driving conditions

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — A multi-day snowfall event has begun to impact Highway 97 and the Pine Pass.

Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for the region at 4:47 a.m. on December 7th, noting hazardous winter conditions in the area of the Pine Pass on Highway 97 starting in the morning of December 7th and continuing into December 9th. 

The federal department credited the weather to a “series of frontal systems” moving across B.C. and bringing periods of heavy snow to the region, and advised drivers to be aware of hazardous driving conditions.

In a December 6th press release, Argo Road Maintenance, the company responsible for providing road and bridge maintenance for the South Peace, cautioned drivers to watch for plows and graders on the road during the storm. 

“Argo Road Maintenance is closely monitoring this system and will have our full fleet deployed to manage conditions throughout the event,” Shelley Fulmes, an Argo quality assurance manager, stated. 

“We encourage all travellers to allow extra time, drive with headlights on, reduce speed and maintain a safe following distance.”

Drivers are encouraged to check DriveBC for road conditions and incidents. Reports of severe weather can also be submitted by email to BCstorm@ec.gc.ca, or by using #BCStorm on X, formerly known as Twitter.