Environment Canada warns of heavy rain, snow this weekend in B.C.

The B.C. government is warning of ``severe winter weather'' involving significant snowfall, avalanche risks and heavy water flow in many parts of the province this weekend.

The government says in an advisory that heavy rain on the coast, snow in parts of the Interior and mountain passes, and high winds across much of the province may pose further challenges from Friday through Sunday in areas recovering from November's storms.

Of particular concern is Highway 3, which remains closed to non-essential travel but is the main link between the Lower Mainland and the Interior while repairs continue on other supply chain links destroyed by flooding.

The government is urging commercial and essential vehicle drivers to prepare and watch for weather alerts from Environment Canada, and it warns storm conditions are expected to strike a section of the highway near Manning Park between Hope and Princeton.

Environment Canada also has special weather statements in place for much of southern B.C. and interior sections of the central and northern coast.

It says significant snowfall and reduced visibility are expected as well as potential avalanche activity and increased water flow in areas already affected by recent flooding.