Update:
Highway 20 re-opened east of Bella Coola to Anahim Lake on Friday, Nov. 25.
The Heckman Pass area had been closed in both directions due to rock falls and avalanche risk and there was a travel advisory for freezing rain in effect from the government wharf in Bella Coola to Kappan Mountain Road at Anahim Lake.
DriveBC is warning drivers to watch for slippery sections between Olsen Drive and Rainbow Range Trailhead for 77.7 km - 16 km east of Bella Coola to 39 km west of Anahim Lake.
There are slippery sections between Hunlen Falls Turner Lakes Trailhead and Sawmill Creek Roadd for 136.7 km - 39 km west of Anahim Lake to Tatla Lake and compact snow. Last updated Fri Nov 25 at 6:58 AM PST. (DBCRCON-136040)
Black ice is also on the highway in patches between Tatla Lake to 44 km west of Williams Lake, along with freezing rain, making for slippery sections all the way to Williams Lake.
A heavy rainfall warning issued for the Bella Coola area on Thursday has lifted with a chance of rainshowers and flurries in the forecast Friday.
According to Environment Canada 58 mm of rain fall in the Bella Coola area on Thursday.
So far in the month of November a total of 96.9 mm of precipitation has fallen in the area, compared to 229 mm in the entire month of November 2021 and 315.4 mm for the entire month of November 2020.
Update:
A rock slide closed Highway 20 overnight between Corbould Drive and Kappan Mountain Road for 76.6 km (from Anahim Lake to 18 km east of Firvale).
The road had already been closed prior to the rock slide occurring due to risk of avalanche.
DriveBC is expected to update the status of the road at 9 a.m., Friday, Nov. 25.
Original story:
Travellers headed in and out of the Bella Coola Valley are advised to plan for an overnight closure of Highway 20.
DriveBC is reporting Highway 20 is closed in both directions Thursday, Nov. 24 due to a high avalanche hazard between Corbould Drive and Kappan Mountain Road for 76.6 km (from Anahim Lake to 18 km east of Firvale).
A rainfall warning is in effect for the area with 50 to 70 mm of rain expected to fall Thursday.
“An atmospheric river is bringing rain to the area. As of 10 a.m., 20 to 30 mm has fallen and a further 30 to 40 mm is expected before easing tonight,” noted Environment Canada.
Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.
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