British Columbia’s provincial snow pack is slightly below normal, according to the latest information from the province.
The Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin from March 1, released on March 10, showed the average snow pack is 91 per cent of normal levels, which is considerably higher than one year earlier, when the snow pack was 73 per cent of normal.
However, some areas in the province are considerably lower than normal.
The Skagit region is at 38 per cent of normal, Vancouver Island is 48 per cent of normal, and the Chilcotin region is 49 per cent of normal.
The South Coast snow pack came in at 61 per cent of normal, and the Okanagan snow pack is 62 per cent of normal.
“In particular, the Okanagan may be the most susceptible region to the upcoming drought. It measured all-time record lows at four snow stations on March 1, including two with over 85 years of data,” the report stated.
Meanwhile, the Peace snow pack is 130 per cent of normal, the Nechako snow pack is 116 per cent of normal, and the Northwest snow pack is 118 per cent of normal.
Areas with above normal snow pack levels are at an increased risk for spring flooding, especially if La Nina conditions continue, the report stated.
Seasonal weather forecasts indicate a greater likelihood of above normal temperatures for March through May in most of the province. There is also a greater likelihood of above normal precipitation for Haida Gwaii, the North Coast, Peace, Upper Fraser, Thompson, and Columbia regions.
While temperatures were near or above normal in much of the province, precipitation patterns varied significantly. Much of the South Coast and Southern Interior were drier than normal, while the northern and northwestern regions were wetter than usual.
Normally, around 80 per cent of the provincial snow pack has accumulated by March 1, but there are still four to eight weeks remaining in the snow accumulation, which means the snow pack figures can still change.