Snowpack at 40 year low

May 22, 2019 | 9:07 AM

It could be a dry summer in parts of B.C.

Provincial officials say the latest snowpack figures show the lowest levels for this time of year in the past 40 years.

The levels range from 32% of normal on Vancouver Island, to a high of 85% in the North Thompson with the provincial average at 64%.

The Okanagan is at 54%, with the Similkameen at 41% and Boundary at 58%.

It could lead to drought conditions, along with low stream flows this summer, according to the B.C River Forecast Centre.

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“Along with 2015 and 2016, this year is amongst the lowest May 15th snowpacks that have been observed in BC over the past 40 years. Spring and summer weather will continue to play a key role in whether or not low flows emerge through the summer,” says the agency’s latest report from data taken on May 15.

The Centre says flood risk remains low this season due to low snowpacks.

“Through most small and midsized watersheds around southern BC, the peak of the melt season has passed. In larger watersheds, and in mountainous areas in northern BC, rivers are expected to be at or near their peak levels from snowmelt runoff.”

The agency uses data from 19 manual snow courses and 80 automated snow weather stations around the province (collected by the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy Snow Survey Program, BC Hydro and partners), and climate data from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the provincial Climate
Related Monitoring Program for its report.

by Corey Fischer