The Okanagan Connector had to close temporarily overnight due to several crashes caused by bad road conditions.
DriveBC stated that the highway had to close going west between Brenda Mine Road and Pennask Summit due to a vehicle incident on Thursday night around 10 p.m.
Two hours later, the highway was closed and there were no alternative routes.
Police informed Global News that they were shutting down the highway because of accidents and road conditions.
The Connector reopened around 2 a..m., but drivers were warned to expect significant delays.
On social media, some people reported very icy conditions near the summit, which is at an elevation of 1,717 meters. A weather report from DriveBC indicated that the area received 10 centimeters of snow in the past 12 hours.
A driver who regularly travels between the Okanagan and the Lower Mainland told Global News that the conditions were the worst he had ever seen, describing the summit as a complete sheet of ice.
Conditions at the summit had improved by 9 a.m. Friday, with clear road surface, no snow, and a temperature of -2.7 C.
From October 1 to April 30, winter tires or chains are required when driving over mountain passes.
More information about that rule is available online. DriveBC stated that the Okanagan Connector was closed around 12 a.m. Friday following a vehicle incident. The road reopened two hours later, but drivers were advised to expect delays.
