The first blast of snow is causing major headaches for emergency responders in the Kamloops area.
RCMP have confirmed a 30-vehicle pile-up on Highway 1 west at Lac le Jeune Road.
The Mounties say they have not had any reports of injuries involved in this, or any of the other crashes, which have been reported through the early part of Thursday evening.
However, the City of Kamloops has decided to close down a number of local roads, including:
-Summit Drive from Whiteshield Crescent to Tremerton Drive
-Hugh Allen from Pacific Way to Howe Road
-Springhill Drive
The chaos has also prompted the City of Kamloops to issue an advisory to drivers through Thursday evening.
2/2 If you absolutely must drive, slow down and use extreme caution.
Please be respectful that our crews are working extremely hard – they will get to your street when they can. Please try to avoid calling in for the first 36 hours after a snow storm.
— City of Kamloops (@cityofkamloops) November 4, 2022
Still about the same on summit, lots of little car stuck in place @Kamscan pic.twitter.com/telVdPIjco
— Keegan (@kcrafter101) November 4, 2022
There have been reports of multiple crashes since the snow began to fly late in the afternoon in the Kamloops region.
The wet snow has made for treacherous — and slow — driving conditions.
What a gong show #Kamloops drivers. Nearly 2 hrs from Barnharvale to lower Sahali. Wow. Just wow.
— Duncan Robertson (@FunkyDadDunc) November 4, 2022
RCMP in Kamloops are reporting three major areas of concern through all of this, including the TransCanada through the Lac le Jeune area, as well as Highland Drive in the Juniper area and along Pacific Way and Hugh Allen Drive.
Do not come down summit!!! A truck just turned 4 parked cars in 5 crashed ones @Kamscan pic.twitter.com/WUpNsVo3Ag
— Keegan (@kcrafter101) November 4, 2022
The Mounties are asking people to drive with caution.
However, they have not put out any official advisories.
While the snow is expected to turn to rain through Friday, another system is expected to provide another significant shot of snow to the Kamloops region early next week.
While winter tires have been mandatory on highway travel in BC since October 1st, the unseasonably warm weather through October has seen many delay putting on their winter treads.