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Drought conditions near Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park (Image Credit: ID 59301229 © Katyenka | Dreamstime.com)
16 per cent of normal

Low snowpack raising drought concerns in Okanagan

May 21, 2026 | 11:20 AM

The Okanagan appears headed for another drought this summer.

According to the B.C. River Forecast Centre, the region’s snowpack had dropped to just 16 per cent of normal by May 15 — down sharply from 31 per cent at the start of the month.

The latest report says seven snow monitoring stations across the province recorded all-time low snow water equivalent levels, including Silver Star Mountain in the Okanagan.

Other record lows were reported in the South Thompson, Boundary and West Kootenay regions.

Earlier this month, the River Forecast Centre warned the low snowpack and reduced runoff into Okanagan Lake and Kalamalka-Wood Lake could lead to reduced water supplies and a higher risk of drought conditions this summer.

Province-wide, the average snowpack sat at 71 per cent of normal as of May 15.

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