Winter road conditions and tire rules near Armstrong, BC

Winter driving in Armstrong depends on which road you are on. Some roads belong to the City, some to the Township, and some to the province. The tire rules started on October 1. This page shows where to check conditions before you leave and who to call when a road is a problem.

Check conditions before you drive

DriveBC is the province’s road report. Its website is drivebc.ca. It lists closures, accidents, and winter conditions for highways, and it shows highway camera photos. Check it before a trip to Vernon, Enderby, or Salmon Arm. The routes between these towns are provincial highways.

Check again if snow is falling. A road that was clear at 7 am can be icy by noon.

Winter tire rules

British Columbia requires winter tires or chains on many highways from October 1 to April 30. Signs mark the routes where the rule applies. Look for the signs at the start of each highway.

A winter tire carries the mountain and snowflake symbol or the M+S mark. The tread must be at least 3.5 millimeters deep. All-season tires with the M+S mark meet the rule if the tread is deep enough. Tires worn below that depth do not meet it.

Many drivers fit winter tires in October. Tire shops fill up once the first snow comes. For shops that sell and fit tires, see our guide to auto repair, tires, and towing.

Who looks after which road

City streets in Armstrong. The City plows and sands them. For a problem on a City street, call City Hall at 250-546-3023. The after-hours line uses the same number. Our guide to snow clearing and winter parking explains which streets are plowed first and where you can park.

Rural roads in Spallumcheen. The Township looks after these. Call the Township office at 250-546-3013 about a rural road.

Highways. The province looks after highways. DriveBC reports on them. City Hall and the Township office do not plow them. Not sure which level of government a road belongs to? Our who to call page lists the main numbers.

If you do not know whether your address is in the City or the Township, read which municipality your address is in.

Call 911 for a crash or a hazard

Call 911 if someone is hurt, a vehicle blocks the road, or a driver is in danger. Give the road name, the nearest cross street, and the direction you were traveling. Armstrong has no hospital. The closest emergency room is at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in Vernon.

For a police matter that is not an emergency, call the North Okanagan RCMP in Armstrong at 250-546-3028.

Pack for a stop on the road

Weather can close a highway for hours. Keep these in the vehicle from October on:

• A snow brush and ice scraper
• A small shovel
• A blanket and warm gloves
• A flashlight
• A phone charger
• Water and a snack
• Sand or kitty litter for traction

Keep the gas tank at least half full. A closed highway can leave a car idling for a long time.

Farm traffic and slow vehicles

Farm equipment uses rural roads around Armstrong all year. In winter, slow tractors and feed trucks can be hard to see through blowing snow. Leave extra space and wait for a clear stretch before passing. Snow also builds up at rural intersections, so slow down at each one.

No car

Not everyone drives in winter. See our guide to bus service in Armstrong for routes to Vernon. Check service notices before a storm day.

Is a number or a rule here out of date? Send us a tip and we will fix it.