People walking in Kalamalka Park. (Liam Verster/Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

Drought Conditions

Okanagan’s drought rating declined on a weekly basis

Jul 24, 2025 | 10:24 AM

The regional drought conditions have improved.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says the Okanagan is at Drought Level 2 as of Thursday, July 24, which is on the low end of the severity scale but still more than abnormally dry.

This rating is down from the two previous weeks when the Okanagan was at Drought Level 3.

The decline in the rating follows a relatively wetter, cooler week.

Environment Canada said Vernon recorded 24.7 millimetres of rain between July 17 and 23, and the average daytime high was 27 degrees. The week before saw just 4.2 millimetres of precipitation in Vernon with an average high of 29.6 degrees.

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Kelowna also saw a similar trend with 27.9 mm of rain and an average high of 27.6 degrees during the latest reporting week, compared to 3.4 mm and 30 degree average highs the week prior.

Elsewhere in the Southern Interior, the Similkameen region held steady at Level 4 for the second straight week, the Nicola area was at Level 3 for the third week, and the Bridge region saw its rating rise from Level 1 to Level 2 on a weekly basis.

However, the South Thompson held steady at Level 1 for a second straight week, and both the Lower and North Thompson saw their ratings dip from Level 2 to Level 1.

The River Forecast Centre did not provide much information on the Southern Interior’s conditions, saying only that the area remains dry and is expected to see temperatures starting to rise once again.