Okanagan snowpack well above normal with three months left of snow

The latest data from the British Columbia River Forecast Centre shows Okanagan snow packs well above normal for this time of year.

The snowpack developed more quickly this year due to the early October snowfall, with snow accumulating at a more normal pace since then, according to the forecast centre.

The Okanagan is currently at 132 per cent of normal compared to 91 per cent last year.

The North Thompson region is sitting at 101 per cent compared to 112 per cent at the same time last year. The South Thompson is at 113 per cent compared to 117 per cent in 2020.

The weather forecast calls for continuing La Nîna conditions, which normally results in higher April snowpacks in the southern Interior.

If the La Nîna conditions persist into spring, there is the possibility of late season snow accumulation and late snowmelt, increasing the risk of freshet flooding.

In normal years, nearly half the annual snowpack has accumulated by early January in B.C.

The river forecast centre says with three more months left for snow accumulation, seasonal snow packs can still change significantly.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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