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Kamloops drought

Recent rainfall not enough to alleviate Kamloops-area drought

Jun 12, 2026 | 11:57 AM

KAMLOOPS — The Kamloops area remains drought-stricken despite recent rainfall, with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada noting it is currently among the driest parts of the country.

Agroclimate Specialist Trevor Hadwen said 25 per cent of the country was classified as ‘abnormally dry’ or drought, including 21 per cent of Canada’s agricultural landscape.

“In April, much of the country received below-normal precipitation. BC’s coastal and Interior regions, southern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario saw the largest monthly precipitation deficits,” said Hadwen.

“In British Columbia and western Alberta, poor precipitation in May resulted in expanding and deepening drought conditions.”

Hadwen said this is still better than last year, when 53 per cent of the country’s agricultural land was under drought conditions.

Locally, the BC River Forecast Centre said the Lower Thompson and Nicola Basins are at drought Level 4 on their five-point scale, with Level 5 being the most severe.

Meanwhile, the South Thompson Basin is at drought Level 3 and the North Thompson is at Level 2.

“As a result of short-term and long-term precipitation deficits, poor snowpack, low streamflow and decreased water supplies, drought severity and extent throughout much of southern British Columbia has been increased,” said Hadwen.

“As of May 31, 40 per cent of B.C. is classified as in abnormally dry or drought conditions. This includes over 70 per cent of the province’s agricultural landscape.”

This comes as the June 1 Snowpack Report shows the Kamloops region has seen significant snowmelt in the last month, with the South Thompson basin sitting at nine per cent of normal.