It was a warm and dry winter in the Okanagan, and that trend has continued into the spring.
As a result, the picture remains grim for the Okanagan snowpack in the latest BC River Forecast Centre snow survey and water supply bulletin.
As of May 1, the Okanagan snowpack is at 31% of its normal level, a dramatic dip from already historical lows of 62% on March 1 and 58% on April 1.
All-time low snow water equivalent measurements were recorded at a trio of Okanagan snow stations – Silver Star Mountain, Mount Kobau and Islaht Lake.
Needless to say, the drought outlook is not positive for a region that has been mired in some form of drought since the fall of 2022.
“Rapid warming during April resulted in earlier-than-normal onset of snowmelt across many lower elevation watersheds in British Columbia, with continued melt through the beginning of May further reducing seasonal snowpack conditions,” the report explains.
“Continued warm and dry weather through May and summer could accelerate drying and increase drought hazard, particularly in regions already exhibiting low snowpack and early snowmelt.”
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has expressed concerns about drought conditions in late April and water restrictions are already in place for most of the region’s municipalities.
According to the snow survey and water supply bulletin, both Okanagan, Kalamalka and Wood lakes are all expected to get “well-below-normal runoff” over the coming weeks.
“These basins are expected to have reduced seasonal water supply and increased susceptibility to drought conditions through the spring and summer,” notes the report.
The overall picture in BC is slightly less grim, as the province is at 83% of its normal snowpack levels for May 1, which is actually an improvement over the 71% from May 1, 2025.
However, that average number is significantly propped up by larger-than-normal snowpacks in the very north of the province.
Many areas around the Okanagan, on the coast and on Vancouver Island are facing very similar concerns as the Okanagan with summer on the horizon.
To see the BC River Forecast Centre’s full snow survey and water supply bulletin for May 1, click this link.
