Flood Risk Expected to be Low this Spring

The B.C. River Forecast Centre has released its latest update on the conditions of the snow packs in the province and the spring flood risk is low.

According to the most recent data, temperatures in January were above normal across the province, as was the amount of precipitation. Most of the province has near normal or slightly below normal snow packs for February 1^st with a provincial average of 91 per cent. The only locations with above normal snow packs are in the Okanagan and Boundary regions. By early February, nearly two-thirds of the annual BC snowpack has typically accumulated.

“Seasonal forecasts from Environment Canada are indicating a high likelihood of above-normal temperatures across British Columbia over the February to April period, and an increased chance of warmer than normal temperatures through the extended forecast period into the summer months,” said forecasters in the report.

Seasonal volume runoff forecasts are near normal for most basins across the province. Below normal seasonal runoff is forecast in the Kalamalka-Wood basin; and well above normal in the Nicola River and Similkameen River systems. With low snow packs, combined with the increased likelihood of a warmer than normal spring melt season, there is an increased chance of below normal stream flow, particularly in the late-spring and into summer.

Both spring and summer flood risks are low, according to the River Forecast Centre, but experts will continue to monitor snow pack conditions. The next seasonal flood risk forecast will be posted at the beginning of March.