The coquihalla highway between Merritt and Kamloops reopened after multiple crashes forced a temporary closure amid heavy snow and gusty winds. The incidents occurred roughly five kilometres south of the Helmer Road exit; traffic cameras showed significant snowfall in the corridor and authorities cautioned drivers about rapidly changing winter conditions.
What happened on the Coquihalla Highway?
Multiple motor vehicle collisions closed the route between Merritt and Kamloops. At one point a single lane in each direction was open while unsafe road conditions were addressed; later traffic was moving again in both directions north of Merritt, though motorists should expect delays as backed-up traffic cleared. Merritt RCMP received a number of reports of collisions in the area and emergency responders were dispatched.
B. C. Emergency Health Services deployed four ambulances to the scene, treated several patients and transported three people to hospital. No serious injuries were reported. Traffic cameras captured snow and changing surface conditions; many drivers encountered a mix of rain, slush and ice along the route.
What happens next for travel and safety?
A special weather statement from Environment and Climate Change Canada remains in effect, warning of strong southwesterly winds likely along the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Kamloops and along Highway 3, as well as further east in the Kootenays. Those conditions — combined with the significant snowfall already observed — can produce rapidly shifting road surfaces and visibility issues that complicate incident response and traffic clearance.
Operational signals and immediate impacts:
- Traffic status: movement resumed in both directions north of Merritt, but residual delays persist as queued vehicles clear.
- Roadway conditions: traffic cameras show significant snowfall and drivers encountered rain, slush and ice at different points along the corridor.
- Emergency response: four ambulances were dispatched and three patients were taken to hospital; Merritt RCMP handled collision reports.
- Weather advisory: strong gusty winds were highlighted in the Environment and Climate Change Canada statement for the corridor and surrounding routes.
Who wins, who loses — and what should drivers do?
In the short term, commercial carriers able to adjust routing and timing to avoid the worst of the weather will see fewer disruptions; smaller vehicles that can be sheltered or rerouted avoid prolonged exposure to the conditions. Motorists who encounter the corridor during gusty winds and heavy snow face the greatest risk of delay and involvement in collisions.
Practical actions for drivers: expect delays, allow extra travel time, and prepare for variable surface conditions. When incidents occur, following official traffic updates and yielding to emergency crews will speed clearance. Operators and emergency services will continue to prioritize scene safety and traffic flow while the weather statement remains active.
As traffic clears and emergency response completes its work, the main takeaway is straightforward: monitor conditions, expect lingering delays, and exercise caution when travelling the coquihalla highway
