A powerful winter storm has inflicted significant damage on a critical transportation corridor, severely impacting travel between British Columbia and Alberta. Highway 3, a vital east-west route through southern B.C., has sustained what officials are describing as "extensive damage" following the latest bout of severe weather.
Storm Causes Major Disruption
The storm, part of a system bringing snow and freezing rain across Western Canada, hit the region on December 17, 2025. The severe conditions not only damaged infrastructure but also knocked out power to more than 100,000 customers on B.C.'s South Coast. The incident underscores the vulnerability of key infrastructure to increasingly volatile weather patterns.
Aerial images shared by officials show contractors already on site, working to assess and repair the damage to Highway 3. The visuals highlight the scale of the challenge facing repair crews as they work to restore this essential link.
Broader Weather Impacts Across Western Canada
The damage to Highway 3 is part of a wider weather event affecting multiple provinces. Environment Canada had issued updated winter storm warnings for southern Saskatchewan, where crashes were reported as the system rolled in. In Alberta, an "extreme" conditions warning prompted Calgary police to advise residents not to drive.
The storm, described by forecasters as a powerful Alberta clipper, brought a mix of snow and freezing rain, creating hazardous travel conditions far beyond the immediate zone of the highway damage. Several flights out of Edmonton International Airport were also cancelled due to the snow storm.
Repair Efforts and Ongoing Challenges
The focus is now on the repair efforts for Highway 3. The route is crucial for commercial and personal travel between the two provinces, and its closure has significant logistical and economic implications. There is no immediate timeline for the full reopening of the highway, as crews must first complete a thorough assessment of the extensive damage.
This event serves as a stark reminder of the tangible impacts of severe weather on Canada's transportation networks. It also highlights the coordinated response required from provincial authorities and emergency contractors to restore critical infrastructure swiftly and safely.
