The Province’s latest snow and water supply data indicates that average mountain snowpack is near normal levels, and higher than last year, but warns the number masks significant regional differences such as the Okanagan at 58 per cent of normal is the lowest in recorded history.
While many are pondering the seeming lack of winter weather in the South Okanagan with mild temperatures and no snow in the valley bottom, the question on many minds is what this means for the snowpack, crucial for determining drought conditions.
The Okanagan region has been moved to a Level 2 “Very Dry” drought rating as a result of the lingering effects from the 2023 drought, low winter snowpack, low precipitation, and warmer than normal temperatures causing an early freshet.
The province is preparing, earlier than ever, for what could be a challenging wildfire season with above-average fall and winter temperatures predicted to continue, leading to persistent drought and a lack of snowpack accumulation.
