Extreme winter weather continues to affect travel on Vancouver Island.

With a snowy weather forecast leading into this evening and tomorrow, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure advises it may be necessary to close bridges and highways as a precautionary measure to help ensure the safety of travellers.

Because of extreme winter weather, motorists are advised to avoid all but essential travel throughout the Metro Vancouver region today, including the Fraser Valley.

Drivers are reminded that a section of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt will be closed today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. to allow for proactive avalanche control.

Drivers are advised that a section of the Coquihalla between Hope and Merritt will be closed from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 8, to allow for proactive avalanche control.

Recreational cyclists, bike commuters and pedestrians who use the Galloping Goose Regional Trail are advised that a section of the trail will be closed at the McKenzie interchange construction site from Monday, Jan. 6, until the end of January.

Drivers are advised that heavy snowfall is expected for much of the southern Interior over the next 48 hours, causing challenging travel conditions on a busy pre-holiday weekend.

Drivers are advised that a new traffic signal will soon be activated at the intersection of Highway 95A and Theatre Mission Road, improving efficiency and safety for people travelling in Cranbrook.