File photo (Image credit: CFJC Today).
SNOWPACK CONDITIONS

Final B.C. snow survey of 2025 points to another summer of potential drought conditions

Jun 19, 2025 | 9:44 AM

VICTORIA — The final Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin for 2025 indicates another summer with high drought hazards is on the horizon for B.C.

According to the latest report from the BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC), the provincial snowpack is 13 per cent normal as of June 15, a drastic drop from 44 per cent as of June 1.

The latest readings show a snowpack lower than 38 per cent of normal as of June 15, 2024, but a marginally higher snowpack than the four per cent of normal as of June 15, 2023. The worst wildfire season on record in B.C. was in 2023.

By June 15, the BCRFC says nearly three-quarters of B.C.’s annual snowpack has melted. However, in 2025, the agency reports that nearly 90 per cent of the mountain snowpack melted mid-month. The BCRFC notes most areas of B.C. recorded their warmest temperatures of the year during the first week of June.

Conditions finally cratered for the North and South Thompson basins after being above the provincial average snowpack for the year. The North Thompson showed readings of 23 per cent normal as of June 15, down from 65 per cent as of June 1 but above the provincial average, while the South Thompson is at seven per cent normal as of June 15, down from 53 per cent as of June 1 and below the provincial average.

Image credit: BC River Forecast Centre

Elsewhere in the Kamloops area, however, the Middle Fraser basin dropped to zero per cent normal as of June 15, marginally down from one per cent as of June 1. The Lower Thompson dropped to zero per cent of normal as of May 1 and remains that way. The Lower Fraser cratered to three per cent normal as of June 15, down from 39 per cent as of June 1.

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

In the short-term, the BCRFC says unsettled conditions and potential heavy rainfall is expected for the upcoming week.

As of June 18, the BC Wildfire Service says there’s a high danger in the Kamloops Fire Centre.

Image credit: BC Wildfire Service