Stock photo of drought conditions at Kalamalka Park (ID 59301229 © Katyenka | Dreamstime.com)

By Liam Verster

Drought Level 2

Okanagan drought rating rises following dry, hot days

Sep 4, 2025 | 11:44 AM

The Okanagan’s drought conditions have worsened.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan was at Drought Level 2 Thursday, Sept. 4. That rating, up from Level 1 the week before, indicated conditions were somewhat severe, but still on the low end of the scale.

The rating increase came after Vernon recorded no precipitation over the previous seven days, with an average daytime high of 33.4 degrees. Kelowna also saw no rainfall and an average high of 33.1 degrees during those seven days.

The River Forecast Centre held the Similkameen’s rating at Level 4 and the Nicola area’s rating at Level 3 Thursday. The Bridge area saw it’s rating decline to Level 2, while the Lower, South and North Thompson all increased to Level 1.

The agency said the Salmon River and Bessette Creek flows “remain below fish population survival thresholds,” and added that “flows in many Okanagan tributaries remain low, posing a risk to aquatic ecosystems.”

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It also said ongoing hot and dry conditions were “expected to further reduce streamflows across the province,” and that there was a risk of thunderstorms but no rainfall across the Southern Interior starting Sunday, Sept. 7, and continuing through the following week.