Parts of Thompson and Okanagan are seeing dangerous streamflows even though there was very little snow over the winter.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre issued a high streamflow advisory, May 13, for many regions around the province including Kamloops and the Okanagan. There are no flood watches, but most of the Southern Interior is under a high streamflow advisory.

The snowpack has melted at lower elevations in the region. The snowpack at upper elevations in the Okanagan is at 31 per cent of normal for this time of year and the South Thompson is at 69 per cent, according to the latest readings by the BC River Forecast Centre. In April, the Okanagan had 58 per cent of its normal snowpack and South Thompson had 85 per cent.

Big White Mountain and Silver Star Mountain snow stations measured all-time low snowpacks for May 1.

Since the latest snowpack report Kamloops and the Okanagan have seen above normal temperatures.

May started off with unseasonably warm weather and some low pressure coming off the coast is expected to bring some rainfall this weekend.

This is usually the time of year where rivers rise but the warm weather caused some significant snowmelt making things more dangerous.

“Rivers through the region are flowing at high seasonal rates due to heavy snowmelt over the
past week. With less capacity in the rivers, runoff from rainfall is expected to lead to high
streamflow over the Thursday through Saturday period,” the forecast centre said.

People have been advised to be cautious around the Upper Columbia including tributaries around Golden and Revelstoke, tributaries to the North and South Thompson Rivers including around Clearwater, North Okanagan including tributaries around Vernon, among others around the province.

The City of Kamloops is warning people about how dangerous the Thompson River can be as snow melts, raising water levels and speeding up the current.

“The Thompson River is one of the deadliest rivers in British Columbia. Each year, preventable incidents underscore the importance of awareness, preparation, and respect for local waterways,” the city said in a press release issued, May 14.

The city said people should be conscious of the cold water temperatures and undertows even when the river might look calm and the weather’s warm.

The North Okanagan regional district is also warning residents and visitors to use extreme caution around creeks, rivers and streams.

“Swift-moving water can pose a serious risk, even for experienced swimmers and boaters,” regional district Protective Services manager Alastair Crick said in a media release.

Go here for updates on streamflow warnings.