File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Aaron Schulze

Extremely Low Snowpack

B.C.’s provincial snowpack extremely low, renewing summer drought concerns: report

Jan 10, 2024 | 11:37 AM

VICTORIA — The B.C. River Forecast Centre’s (BCRFC) first Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin of 2024 was released Wednesday (Jan. 10) and it paints a dire picture for the upcoming summer.

According to numbers from Jan. 1, the BCRFC says the provincial snowpack is extremely low at 56 per cent normal for this time of year.

Alpine areas around Kamloops are low, with the Middle Fraser at 50 per cent of normal, the Lower Fraser at 35 per cent, the North Thompson at 60 per cent and the South Thompson at 73 per cent.

Image credit: B.C. River Forecast Centre

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The BCRFC states temperatures were well above normal from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, and precipitation was well below normal for most of the province. The centre adds it will increase the likelihood for drought conditions into the summer.

“Upcoming challenges related to drought could include water supply issues, low groundwater levels, inadequate river levels for cultural needs, environmental flows, agricultural use, power generation, recreational use, wildfire risk, and more,” the BCRFC states. “Low snowpack significantly decreases spring freshet flood hazards, especially in the B.C. Interior.”

However, the BCRFC notes there are still three or more months left in the snow accumulation season and the province’s snowpack can still change significantly.

Another snow bulletin is scheduled for Feb. 8.