Above normal snowpack percentage in Lower Thompson could increase flood risk

KAMLOOPS — After a somewhat dry January in the B.C. Interior, February’s snowfall within the region has guided the alpine snowpack closer to a normal rate.

In a report by the province, snowpack was at an average of 94 per cent of normal in February across B.C. with the Lower Thompson averaging 30 per cent above its normal rate. This could lead to potential floods across the area. However, the River Forecast Centre says it depends on what conditions are being displayed during the spring time.

“It can be a combination of maybe a cold beginning of spring followed by a heatwave for five or six days where all of the snow melts quite rapidly,” Hydrologist Jonathan Boyd told CFJC Today. “The worst situation is to have those two scenarios occur and then have a big rainfall event when the rivers are high and the snow is melting.”

Although the above normal snowpack totals decrease the chances of a wildfire season, Boyd says things can change with time.

“Last year was a good example where we did have a cold spring and a delayed snow melt pretty well across the province,” said Boyd.

“It didn’t necessarily look like it was going to be a challenging wildfire or drought season, it’s just that then it stopped raining essentially around early July into late October throughout the province.”

The province is scheduled to release it’s next Snow Survey and Water Supply bulletin on April 12.