Snowpacks around Kamloops are meeting or exceeding normal levels

The first snowpack numbers of 2025 are in and are showing only “slightly” below normal levels across BC.

According to the data released Thursday, the provincial snowpack is averaging 87% of normal, or 13% normal levels.

This is a great improvement from this time last year when the provincial snowpack levels were at 56% of normal, or 44% below normal levels.

The Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin, which uses data collected on Jan.1, showed that the North, South and Lower Thompson basins are all meeting or exceeding normal snowpack levels.

The North and South Thompson basins are 100% while the Lower Thompson is at 133%.

That is a significant improvement from last January when t​​he North, South and Lower Thompson basins were sitting at 60% 73% and 36% of normal levels, respectively.

In 2023, the North Thompson was at 66% of normal levels, the South Thompson was at 84% and the Lower Thompson recorded a whopping 200% of normal.

The bulletin said typical fall storms affected the coast while temperatures were slightly above normal in the Southern Interior but near seasonal across the rest of the province in October and November.

“Generally, precipitation was near normal for the start of the water year,” the data said.

December was a warmer month in BC but the upcoming seven-day forecast shows the likelihood of moderate storm systems arriving, particularly along the northern coast.

The bulletin said regions with normal to above normal levels have an increased risk for spring snowmelt related flooding and areas with below normal levels could show early concerns for drought.

However, there are still several months for snow to accumulate in mountain ranges across BC.

According to the bulletin, nearly half of the annual BC snowpack typically accumulates by early January but there are still several months for snow to accumulate in mountain ranges across BC.

That means the snowpack can still change significantly, the bulletin added.

The next snowpack update is expected by Feb. 10 or 11.

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