The BC River Forecast Centre released its May Snow Survey Bulletin today, revealing precipitation totals below normal across most of the province, with the South Coast and southern Interior identified as particularly dry. Low snowpack, early snowmelt, and warm seasonal weather forecasts are elevating drought hazards for the upcoming season.
Snow basin indices are now well below normal across several southern and lower elevation regions of the province, including:
- Lower Thompson: 0% of normal
- Skagit: 5% of normal
- Nicola: 9% of normal
- Okanagan: 31% of normal
- South Coast: 45% of normal
- Boundary: 53% of normal
- Similkameen: 61% of normal
- Lower Fraser: 59% of normal
- Vancouver Island: 27% of normal
Approximately 28% of the total measured snowpack has already melted. On average, only 6% of the annual B.C. snowpack has melted by this date in a typical year.
The River Forecast Centre has raised concerns about drought across many areas of the province due to long-term precipitation deficits, low snowpack, early snowmelt, and seasonal weather forecasts.
"Water insecurity is becoming the new normal"
"With drought risk rising across much of B.C. due to another year of low snowpack and early melt, water insecurity is becoming the new normal," said Coree Tull of the BC Watershed Security Coalition. "This is the fourth consecutive year communities across the province have experienced drought, yet most local governments and communities still lack the resources and tools needed to get ahead of these crises."
Tull added: "Communities are ready to lead, but they cannot do it alone. Investing in watershed security solutions that bring local people together to strengthen communities' ability to prepare, respond, and make collaborative decisions is critical to protecting drinking water, salmon, agriculture, local jobs, and the long-term economic stability communities depend on."
Members of the BC Watershed Security Coalition are available to comment on the latest snowpack report, including potential impacts on water supplies, salmon runs, food security, and the economy.
Contact:
Coree Tull, Chair, BC Watershed Security Coalition Email: coree@bcwaterlegacy.ca Cell: (778) 846-9050