(Image Credit: Sherry Fisher/CFJC File)

By Victor Kaisar

Snowpack Conditions

Snowpacks in Kamloops-area, most of B.C. at or above normal to begin 2026

Jan 10, 2026 | 1:57 PM

KAMLOOPS — The BC River Forecast Centre has issued its first snowpack bulletin of the year, and things look rather normal in the Kamloops area, and across much of the province, at the moment.

According to the data, the North Thompson snowpack sits at 103 per cent of normal as of Jan. 1, while the South Thompson snowpack is at 93 per cent of normal. At this time last year, both Kamloops-area snowpacks were at 100 per cent of normal.

Elsewhere, the Fraser River snowpack is at 103 per cent of normal, up from 86 per cent it was at this time in 2025, though the Okanagan snowpack is 90 per cent of normal, down from the 102 per cent it was last year.

The overall provincial snowpack is also slightly above normal at 107 per cent, which is much higher than last year’s reading of 87 per cent. The Central Coast snowpack is the highest in the province at 160 per cent of normal, while Vancouver Island is the lowest at just 58 per cent of normal.

Snow Basin Indices across B.C. as recorded on Jan. 1, 2026. (Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

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“Snowpack development for the 2025–26 water year began with a generally solid start across British Columbia,” the BC River Forecast Centre said in its bulletin.

“Regions with normal to well above normal snowpack levels have an increased hazard for spring snowmelt related flooding, especially if effects from La Niña conditions linger into spring.”

While nearly half of B.C.’s annual snowpack has accumulated by early-January, there are still at least three months left in the snow accumulation season, meaning the snowpack can change significantly depending on upcoming weather patterns.

A map of snowpacks across British Columbia as of Jan. 1, 2026. (Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

The next snowpack bulletin is scheduled to be released on either Feb. 10 or 11.