Freshet season begins: Hot weekend temps to trigger snowmelt runoff across the province

PRINCE GEORGE – According to the River Forecast Centre, streamflow across the province is near to below average for early May.

Early snowmelt in low—and mid-elevation areas led to closer-to-normal flows, while areas with lower-than-normal streamflow have yet to see substantial runoff from higher-elevation snowmelt.

In the northeast and Central Interior, including areas around Prince George, Vanderhoof, Quesnel, and Williams Lake, streamflow is well below normal, reflecting persistent dry conditions and limited snowmelt runoff from low snowpack this year.

Hot temperatures this weekend are expected to initiate the first significant period of higher elevation snowmelt, marking a start to the freshet season across the province.