By Dave Branco

Drought

Critical snowpack levels at 56% of normal sparks concerns of impending drought

Jan 11, 2024 | 2:57 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The B.C. River Forecast Centre’s first Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin of 2024 was released this week, and it paints a dire picture for the upcoming summer.

According to the snow survey from the provincial snowpack, it is extremely low at 56 percent, of normal for this time of year.

In the mountain areas northeast of Prince George the snowpack is low. The Upper Fraser East is 63 percent of normal, and the Lower Fraser is 35 percent.

According to the River River Survey, temperatures were well above normal from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, 2023, and precipitation was below normal for most of the province. The centre adds it will increase the likelihood of drought conditions into the summer.

With the low snowpack, there may be drought, including water supply issues and low groundwater levels.

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There are still three or more months left in the snow accumulation, and the snowpack can change significantly.

The next snow bulletin is scheduled for February.