Map of snow basin indices in B.C. (Image credit: BC River Forecast Centre)

By Russ Byth

River Forecast centre

Extremely low snowpack heightens drought concerns

Jan 11, 2024 | 9:20 AM

The BC River Forecast Centre’s first snow survey and water supply bulletin of 2024 paints a bleak picture for the upcoming summer if a lot more snow doesn’t come.

The agency said the provincial snowpack is extremely low at 56 percent of normal for this time of year while the Okanagan is at 64 percent.

“Fifteen snow stations measured all-time record low snow pack with five occurring in the Lower Fraser and four within the Upper Columbia snow basins,” the centre said

The report noted there are at least three months left in the snow accumulation season and the province’s snowpack can still change significantly.

“Due to the extremely low snow conditions, below normal hazard for spring freshet related flooding is emerging, especially in the Interior. The low snow pack could significantly affect ongoing drought concerns into summer 2024,” the centre said.

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