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

By Liam Verster

Drought Level 3

Okanagan’s Drought Rating continues to rise

Sep 11, 2025 | 10:42 AM

Drought conditions in the Okanagan continues to intensify.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan was at Drought Level 3 on Thursday, up from Level 2 the week before.

Level 3 indicates drought conditions are somewhat severe, as the scale goes from Level 0, meaning conditions are wetter or normal, to Level 5, where the drought is extremely severe.

The increase in the rating came as Vernon recorded an average daytime high of 27.2 degrees over the previous seven days, while Kelowna had an average high of 27.6. There was also a total of just 0.8 millimetres of precipitation in Vernon and 0.2 mm in Kelowna over those seven days.

The River Forecast Centre said low flows were recorded in many Okanagan tributaries, posing a risk to aquatic ecosystems. It also reminded people that Fish Population Protection Orders and water use restrictions were in place for Bessette Creek and Salmon River in an effort to protect endangered Chinook salmon.

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The agency added that isolated showers and thunderstorms could be seen across the Southern Interior over the following days, though noted that no widespread rain was anticipated.