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BC snowpack numbers: Slight increase in the Okanagan, South Thompson

The Okanagan snow basin is one of three basins across the province that have levels above 80% of normal, according to the latest data from the province.

According to the second round of snow pack numbers released for the season, most of the province remains “very low,” averaging 61% of normal levels or 39% below normal for Feb.1.

That's quite a bit lower than the average 79% of normal levels recorded this time last year.

Speaking at an unrelated news conference on Thursday, Premier David Eby called the conditions "some of the most dramatic drought conditions that have been seen in our lifetime."

Eby said he’s "really worried" about the coming summer, and the only thing that "eclipses" his concern about drought is watching atmospheric rivers of rain sweep over California, causing landslides and flooding that have killed several people.

<who> Photo Credit: Province of BC </who> Snowpack levels across the province are sitting at an average of 39% below normal levels as of Feb. 1.

The only places where the snowpack is above 80% are in the Stikine (90%), the Okanagan (86%) and the South Thompson (81%).

After recording “extremely” low levels in early January (56% of normal levels), most of the province saw a slight increase in snowpack levels.

That’s the result of those extremely cold temperatures and heavy snowfall that hit most of the province in mid-January.

“Notable increases in relative percent of normal were the Okanagan and Similkameen, which increased by 22 and 28 percentage points, respectively,” the data says.

The South Thompson basin saw an increase from 73% in early January to 81% on Feb. 1.

All those numbers vary greatly when looking at last February’s bulletin where the Okanagan was at 121% of normal levels, the Similkameen was at 77% and the South Thompson was at 86%.

Nine snow stations measured all-time lows for their period of record, including basins in the Upper Fraser East, Quesnel/Middle Fraser, North Thompson and Upper Columbia.

Some of those basins saw the lowest levels of snow recorded in 55 to 60 years.

On Vancouver Island, the snowpack levels actually decreased by 9%.

Those above seasonal temperatures returned at the tail-end of January.

A series of atmospheric rivers also brought heavy rainfall across south-west BC, including the Okanagan and Thompson regions. That was followed by a drier-than normal first week of February.

The province’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin says there are still two to three months left in the snow season where conditions may change slightly, however, current trends in low snowpack are expected to continue.

This is expected to result in below normal spring freshet flood hazard, especially in the Interior.

“Low snowpack and seasonal runoff forecasts combined with warm seasonal weather forecasts and lingering impacts from previous drought are creating significantly elevated drought hazards for this upcoming spring and summer,” the province says.

The next bulletin is scheduled to be released on Friday, Mar. 8.

- WITH FILES FROM THE CANADIAN PRESS
-Thumbnail photo credit 123rf


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