Snowpack Levels: Below Normal

The Okanagan is one of several regions in B.C. with below normal snowpack, which could lead to water shortages in the summer.

The River Forecast Centre says snow levels at upper elevations are 69% of normal for this time of year.

“Snow basin indices for May 1, 2019 range from a low of 15% of normal in the Skagit to a high of 101% in the Liard with the average of all snow measurements across the province calculated to be 79% of normal,” says the monthly report.

“A well-below normal snowpack (<60% of normal) is present in the Northwest, Vancouver Island, Similkameen, Nicola and Skagit. Below normal snowpack (60-80% of normal) exists in the Stikine, Skeena-Nass, Nechako, Central Coast, South Coast, Lower Fraser, Okanagan, Boundary and East Kootenay. The rest of the province has slightly below normal to normal snowpack (80-95% of normal).”