Okanagan, B.C. snowpacks fell in April

May 9, 2025 | 11:29 AM

The regional and provincial snowpacks saw big declines in April.

A report from the B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan’s snowpack was at 67 per cent of normal as of May 1, 2025.

That was down from the 82 per cent recorded the month before.

B.C.’s average snowpack also fell from 79 per cent of normal on April 1 to 71 per cent on May 1.

The report said B.C. experienced temperatures slightly above normal in April, while precipitation was below normal, resulting in the snowpack levels declining at a rapid pace.

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The provincial agency did note that this year was an improvement from May 1 of 2024, when the provincial snowpack average was at 66 per cent of normal. However, it did note that lower elevation basis had lower snowpacks compared to 2024 due to an earlier rate of melt in April.

The River Forecast Centre said the May 1 levels did not indicate any elevated flood risks in the province, though noted freshet was only one factor in flooding and those events could occur if there was heavy precipitation or prolonged periods of wet weather.

The snowpack levels, coupled with impacts from the previous droughts and past and upcoming weather forecasts, do raise concerns about droughts this summer. However, the agency stopped short of making any predictions about drought conditions this summer, noting snowmelt was just one factor and that short- and long-term precipitation in the coming months may reduce the risk.

by Liam Verster

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