Miserable weather expected for B.C. highways as Family Day long weekend kicks off

Mother Nature is delivering a miserable start to a much-anticipatedlong weekend for many British Columbia families.

B.C. marks Family Day on Monday Feb. 8, but anyone driving to or from the southern Interior may choose to delay the start of their trip until Saturday due to hazardous conditions.

Public Safety Minister Mike Morris urged everyone to drive safely as snowfall warnings are posted for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt and on Highway 3 through the Kootenay Pass.

Up to 20 centimetres of snow wasalso forecast Friday for inland sections of the north coast, while winds up to 110 kilometres per hour buffeted eastern and northern Vancouver Island and the central coast early Friday.

By mid-afternoon, the snow had yet to hit the Coquihalla, with temperatures on some stretches hovering aroundfive degrees. The roads were clear, and traffic was moving well, but the snowfall warning remains in effect.

Environment Canada is also calling for better weather for return journeys on Monday.

• Check with DriveBC for updates

The weather is also affected some ferry schedules, cancelingseveralsailingsbetween Powell River and Comox early Friday morning.