Buses did not run for the Kootenay Columbia school district this morning and won’t this afternoon either, but classes are running as scheduled.
Most areas received more than 20 cm overnight and we’re expected to see another 10 to 15 cm today. But it should ease off this evening and we might see a break in the weather tomorrow.
The Kootenay Pass is closed for avalanche control and snow removal. It won’t reopen before 8 p.m.
Highway 31 is closed due to high avalanche hazard on either end of the Coffee Creek bridge, from 2 km south to 2 km north. It’s also closed from 5 km south of Meadow Creek through 10 km north of Meadow Creek.
Travel advisories are in effect for Highway 3 from Salmo to Goatfell and from Brilliant to Creston due to heavy snow and high winds.
Highway contractors Emcon has been working to keep the highways as clear as possible.
West Kootenay manager Ken Lawson says they were prepared for this winter blast.
Meanwhile public works crews from the City of Castlegar are working diligently to keep city roads safe.
Gary Sauer says they have been at it since early this morning.
He says there hasn’t been any road closures in the city but there are a few dead ends that need to be cleared.
If the snow has you feeling the winter blues you can shake the feeling at Rossland’s Red Mountain.
Red’s president Don Thompson says they got 20 cm of fresh powder dumped overnight.
He adds the road to Red has been clear and people have been taking in the hills all day.