File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Weather Change

Much-needed rainfall still not enough to stem drought conditions in Kamloops area

Sep 18, 2023 | 3:13 PM

KAMLOOPS — Environment Canada says there is more rain in the forecast for the Kamloops area this week, but it’s not nearly enough for the region to recover from its extreme drought conditions.

Speaking to CFJC Today, meteorologist Alyssa Charbonneau says scattered showers that arrived in the Kamloops area Monday morning (Sept. 18) dropped no more than about 10 millimetres in one spot.

She notes this is the first rainfall of any significance since August 31.

Another system is expected to move in on Tuesday.

“It’s going to be pretty light, overall. Once again in that trace-to-10-millimetre range with some locally heavier amounts,” said Charbonneau. “We’ll have to see how it ends up shaping up for the Kamloops region.”

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Culturally appropriate food goes beyond the ingredients on a plate

2h ago

Two and Out

PETERS: Whether building up or tearing down, Kamloops is what you make it

20h ago

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: How to reduce food waste in Kamloops during the festive season

Dec 13, 2024

Most of the province has dealt with a major drought all year, leading to extremely low river levels and tinder dry forests. While this week’s rain is a positive, Charbonneau says it won’t make much of a dent.

“What we really need is a sustained shift to that wetter pattern,” she said. “We need multiple storm systems coming through, bringing more than just a few millimetres but widespread, higher amounts.”

“It’s not just the South Thompson or the Southern Interior, it’s right across B.C.,” continued Charbonneau. “Some places are starting to see some rain — toward the North and Central Coast of B.C., they’ve been getting a bit more but other areas, unfortunately, haven’t been seeing much, even with these weak systems coming through.”