File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

Lower Snowpack

Dry January lowers the average B.C. snowpack, including in Kamloops area

Feb 11, 2025 | 10:30 AM

KAMLOOPS — A dry January took its toll on B.C.’s average snowpack to start 2025.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre’s (BCRFC) latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin was released Tuesday (Feb. 11) and it shows the provincial snowpack sitting at 72 per cent normal as of Feb. 1, down from 87 per cent the month prior.

The average snowpack for the North and South Thompson basins are also lower for this time of year, sitting at 83 and 78 per cent normal as of Feb. 1.

Elsewhere, snowpack for the Middle Fraser basin is well below normal at 64 per cent – with the Lower Thompson sub-basin substantially dropping to 42 per cent normal as of Feb. 1 compared to 133 per cent normal as of Jan. 1. The Lower Fraser is also lower at 73 per cent normal, down from 85 per cent as of Jan. 1.

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Image credit: BCRFC

“Snow accumulation was extremely low throughout January due to prolonged dry weather conditions. Nearly 50 per cent of [automated snow weather stations] were below normal at the start of January and by February 1 that increased to about 75 per cent,” the BCRFC states. “Drier conditions continued into the first week of February and currently 85 per cent of [automated snow weather stations] are below normal and 50 per cent are well below normal.”

The BCRFC notes most regions in B.C. were within the top 10 driest years for January over their respective period of record, including Kamloops.

While nearly two-thirds of B.C.’s annual snowpack typically accumulates by early February, the BCRFC says there are still two to three months left in the snow season and the snowpack can change significantly based on upcoming weather patterns.

Another snow bulletin is scheduled for March 10 or 11.