Lower Thompson snowpack at zero per cent of normal; other basins near Kamloops down in May report
VICTORIA — New data from the BC River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) shows that while the overall snowpack lowered across the Kamloops area over the last month, conditions have careened to the bottom in the Lower Thompson basin.
According to the latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin, the Lower Thompson basin is sitting at zero per cent normal as of May 1, a drastic drop from the 83 per cent it was as of April 1.
Both the North and South Thompson basins showed readings of 84 and 72 per cent of normal respectively as of May 1. While the North Thompson is relatively unchanged from the 85 per cent it was at last month, the South Thompson is down from 86 per cent.
Image Credit: BC River Forecast CentreElsewhere, the data released Friday (May 9) shows the Middle Fraser basin at 51 per cent of normal while the Lower Fraser is at 76 per cent of normal as of May 1. Both those basins are down from 63 and 85 per cent as of April 1.
B.C.’s average snowpack is also below normal at 71 per cent as of May 1, a decrease from the 79 per cent it was at on April 1. However, the average snowpack is up from 66 per cent normal as of May 1, 2024.
The BCRFC says approximately 27 per cent of the province’s snowpack has melted as of May 8. While the May reading suggests a lower risk of freshet flooding, it notes the concerns for drought continue.
“The causes of drought in B.C. are multifaceted,” the BCRFC said in its report. “While snowpack can play an important role in areas, other factors such as the rate of snowmelt, spring and summer temperatures, and short- and long-term precipitation trends may have equal or greater importance in governing the emergence of drought this summer.”
The BCRFC notes that while slightly above normal precipitation was measured in Kamloops in April, the rest of the province was either below normal or slightly below.
There are three Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletins remaining in the season, with the next one set to be released on May 22 or 23.
Image Credit: BC River Forecast Centre
