Vernon and the Okanagan Valley as seen from the Foothills neighbourhood (Image Credit: Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)

By Liam Verster

67% of normal

Okanagan’s snowpack levels down, posing risk to local lakes

Feb 12, 2026 | 6:00 AM

The Okanagan saw a major decline in its snowpack through January compared to the previous month.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the local area’s snowpack was at 67 per cent of normal as of February 1st. That was down from 90 per cent of normal on January 1st.

The River Forecast Centre said the low snowpack indicated that the seasonal runoff for Okanagan Lake would be below normal, while Kalamalka and Wood Lakes’ inflows were forecasted at well below normal.

The agency added Okanagan and Vancouver Island were the two regions with the lowest snowpacks compared to the same time the year before, as the Okanagan was at 84 per cent of normal on February 1, 2025.

While the local area’s snowpack declined in January, the majority of basins across B.C. saw lots of snowfall during that month. Those conditions brought the provincial snowpack average up to 97 per cent of normal as of February 1st.

Fatal Hit-and-Run

Man killed in crash on Highway 6 in Vernon

3h ago

Flags Flying At Half Staff

Vernon's flags lowered to honour those lost in the Tumbler Ridge shooting

19h ago

TUMBLER RIDGE SHOOTING

Police identify B.C. shooting suspect, say five students and teacher dead

22h ago