Lower Thompson snowpack drops to 0% in early May

Snowmelt across the province is trending earlier than normal for the month of May, according to the latest data from the province.

The River Forecast Centre says annual snow accumulation typically peaks in mid-April, which happened on April 11 this year.

About 15% of BC’s total snowpack melted by May 1.

“The May 1 survey provides insight into possible late season snow accumulation, the timing of snowmelt onset, and whether melt is early, late, or following seasonal patterns,” the report says.

That means the provincial snowpack was averaging 71% of normal levels, or 29% below normal.

“Snowmelt has continued through the first week of May, and as of May 8 approximately 27% of the total snowpack has melted,” the data says.

The snowpack in the Lower Thompson basin dropped significantly from 83% on April 1 down to 0% on May 1.

Kamloops and Merritt are included in that snow basin.

The North Thompson slightly dipped from 85% in early April to 84% at the beginning of the month and the South Thompson declined from 86% to 72% on May 1.

Across BC, including in the Thompson-Nicola region, below normal spring freshet hazard is expected due to low snowpack and any local flooding will be from any extreme rainfall events.

Precipitation across BC was slightly below normal to below normal for April, however, Kamloops saw slightly above normal precipitation levels.

The data says that May and June are wetter months throughout the BC Interior with the potential for heavy rain.

Although it is still a little early in the season, the data is suggesting that “well below normal” inflows are forecasted for Nicola Lake and Nicola River.

Looking ahead, there are drought concerns this season “due to long-term precipitation deficits, low snowpack and seasonal weather forecasts.”

^{Thumbnail photo credit: TNRD}