File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Snowpack Conditions

Provincial snowpack remains very low; conditions improve moderately near Kamloops

Mar 8, 2024 | 9:45 AM

VICTORIA — Snowpack conditions in Kamloops and area continue to moderately improve but remain below normal for this time of year.

According to numbers from March 1 from the B.C. River Forecast Centre’s (BCRFC) Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin released Friday (March 8), the provincial snowpack remains very low, averaging 66 per cent of snow for this time of year. The provincial snowpack at this time last year was 91 per cent normal.

The South Thompson is just below normal snowpack for this time of year at 90 per cent, up from 81 per cent last month. The North Thompson sits at 76 per cent, the Middle Fraser at 64 and the Lower Fraser at 61.

While below normal February precipitation was seen on Vancouver Island – below 75 per cent of normal – Kamloops and the Southern Interior saw wetter than normal conditions – more than 125 per cent normal.

“In terms of historical context, this is tied for the second-lowest provincial March 1 snowpack that we’ve seen,” Dave Campbell, BCRFC head says. “The historic low is in 1977 where we had 53 per cent of normal. Then we saw in 2001 similar to what we have right now.”

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Image credit: BC River Forecast Centre

The BCRFC says low snowpack and seasonal runoff forecasts combined with warm seasonal weather forecasts, along with lingering impacts from ongoing drought are increasing drought hazards for the spring and summer.

“As of this time of year, the water that we’ve got stored up on the landscape in the snow is below normal,” Campbell says. “That water availability is going to be lower as we come into the summer.”

The BCRFC states dry conditions persisted through February until a stormy pattern brought the most significant snowfall of the season in the final week. Due to the low snow conditions, below normal spring freshet flood hazard is expected this season.”

While there are still four-to-eight weeks left in the snow accumulating season, the BCRFC says current trends in low snowpack are expected to continue.