File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).

By Aaron Schulze

SNOWPACK CONDITIONS

Two-thirds of B.C.’s annual mountain snowpack melted following warmer April, hot final week of May in the Interior

Jun 10, 2025 | 7:13 AM

VICTORIA — Snow conditions continue to dip in B.C. with the provincial snowpack sitting lower than it was at this time last year.

According to the latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin from the BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC), the provincial snowpack is 44 per cent normal as of June 1, a drop from 61 per cent as of May 15. While the latest readings show a lower snowpack than the 57 per cent of normal as of June 1, 2024, it is higher than the 29 per cent of normal as of June 1, 2023.

By June 1, the BCRFC says nearly one half of B.C.’s annual snowpack has melted. However, in 2025, the agency reports that nearly two-thirds of the mountain snowpack has melted, due to warmer than normal temperatures in April and hot weather in the final week of May in the Interior.

Conditions remain not as dire for the North and South Thompson basins, which showed readings of 66 per cent and 53 per cent of normal, respectively as of June 1. Those are down from 78 and 69 per cent, respectively, as of May 15.

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Elsewhere in the Kamloops area, however, the Middle Fraser basin sits at one per cent of normal as of June 1, notably down from 27 per cent two weeks prior. The Lower Fraser dropped from 61 per cent as of May 15 to 39 per cent as of June 1. The Lower Thompson dropped to zero per cent of normal as of May 1 and remains that way.

Image credit: BC River Forecast Centre

“This season continues to have increased hazards of drought due to long-term precipitation deficits, low snowpack, early snowmelt, and an increased likelihood of warmer than normal and drier summer weather,” the BCRFC states. “Weather will continue to play an important role in the summer drought conditions.”

The BCRFC notes that Environment Canada’s seasonal weather forecast indicates a greater likelihood of above normal temperatures in B.C. from June to August, along with a minor to moderate likelihood of below normal precipitation.

The June 1 readings were recorded prior to an early season heat event for the southern half of B.C.

As of June 9, the BC Wildfire Service says there’s a high fire danger rating for the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Image credit: BC Wildfire Service

An updated seasonal hazard forecast will be provided in the BCRFC’s final Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin for 2025, which is scheduled for release on June 19 or 20.