File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Weather

May was the third dry month in a row for Kamloops; Environment Canada sounds alarm over ‘precipitation deficit’

Jun 5, 2019 | 2:36 PM

KAMLOOPS — May was hot and dry in Kamloops, and Environment Canada says if that trend continues in June, it could mean trouble for the province’s drought conditions.

Forecaster Matt MacDonald says last month was the seventh warmest May on record, with records dating back to 1893. In addition, MacDonald notes the city only saw 64 per cent of normal precipitation for the month, marking the third dry month for Kamloops in a row.

That has added up to what MacDonald calls a “precipitation deficit”.

“We’re sitting about 50 millimetres short of normal rainfall amounts. The spring, as a whole, was very dry,” said MacDonald.

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“There’s just such a significant precipitation deficit for the first part of the year for most of the Southern Interior. We do have some rain coming, but it won’t be enough to alleviate those drought conditions.”

There is an overcast sky over Kamloops Wednesday, and MacDonald says rain is on its way, but it won’t be significant enough to move the needle.

“Luckily, we’ve turned the corner here into a cooler and wetter pattern. Lots of showers in the area today, not making it to the valley bottom yet,” said MacDonald. “But I think on Friday and Saturday, we have a much better chance of the system pushing through, with widespread rain across the South Thompson – probably anywhere from five to 10 millimetres.”

The month of June is nicknamed ‘June-uary’ in the B.C. Interior because of its penchant for cool, wet weather. That may be the case this week, but MacDonald says it won’t last.

“As we head into next week, beginning Sunday we’re getting back into this hot, dry pattern. We’ll see those temperatures climb back up into the low 30s and a prolonged dry period, probably lasting to the very end of next week,” said MacDonald.

Wildfire danger ratings are already high pushing extreme throughout the Interior. Several small wildfires have popped up around Kamloops in recent weeks, though none of them has grown significantly. Without much more precipitation, the risk will almost certainly become more severe.

“The wildfire people say [June] is a critical month to set the tone for the wildfire season ahead, so we’ll hopefully get some additional rain as we head into the second half of June,” said MacDonald.

“Right now, we’re expecting it to be a warm summer; we’ll have to see how the [precipitation] plays out.”