(Vernon Matters file photo)

By Liam Verster

Snowpack & Drought Report

Okanagan seeing “abnormally dry” conditions as snowpack levels decline

May 22, 2025 | 10:24 AM

The Okanagan and British Columbia continue to see very low snowpacks, leading to the local region drying out somewhat.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the regional snowpack was recorded at 66 per cent of normal as of May 15.

That was down compared to May 1, when the Okanagan’s snowpack was at 67 per cent of normal.

British Columbia’s average snowpack also fell to 61 per cent of normal on May 15, down from 71 per cent at the start of the month.

Data from the River Forecast Centre also showed that the Bridge subbasin in the Middle Fraser had the lowest snowpack level of 27 per cent of normal as of May 15, followed by East Kootenay (32 per cent) and Similakameen (33 per cent). The North Thompson and Upper Columbia areas had the highest snowpack levels at 78 and 78 per cent of normal, respectively.

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The River Forecast Centre said early-May was warmer and drier than normal, but returned to more seasonal temperatures and precipitation levels in the middle of the month.

The provincial agency noted the El Nina Advisory ended on April 10, and El Nino neutral conditions were expected to continue through the summer, with more than a 50 per cent chance of remaining through to October.

Looking at potential emergencies, the River Forecast Centre said there were no elevated flood risks anywhere in the province, though noted snow melt is only one element that contributes to flooding and the events could occur if there was persistent or heavy precipitation. It added the Interior’s wet months are May and June and had “the potential for extreme precipitation patterns” that could contribute to floods.

It also noted that, looking at the low snowpack levels and considering persistent drought impacts from previous years, there was concern for province-wide drought hazards in the summer. Again, it noted that was dependent on the weather in the coming months.

The River Forecast Centre provided the first drought rating for the Okanagan may 22, which was recorded at Level 1.

On the province’s scale of 0-5, with 0 indicating the region is not in a drought and 5 being extremely dry. Drought Level 1 indicates the region was “abnormally dry” as of the latest reporting period.

As of May 22, the East Peace region, in North East B.C., had the highest drought rating in the province at Level 4, while Haida Gwaii had the lowest rating at Level 0.

Not all basins in B.C. had drought ratings as of the latest report, though the River Forecast Centre indicated it would be providing weekly updates through to the end of October.