Snowpack in Okanagan still 150 per cent of normal

The snowpack in the Okanagan continues to be well-above average, causing concern about flooding.

This year is tied with April 1999 for the highest snowpack in 38 years.

The latest snow survey and water supply bulletin from the province said that because of La Niña conditions, the snow basin in the province will likely continue to increase into May.

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“Snowpacks in previous La Niña events in British Columbia tended to grow more rapidly than normal through April,” the reported noted. “Province-wide snow basin indices during la Nina years tend to increase by two to five per cent over the April 1 to May 1 period.”

The report also noted forest fires that burned in the summer of 2017 affected many watersheds. Areas that have been affected by fire typically have higher snowmelt flows that peak earlier than places that haven’t been disturbed.

The average of all snow measurements across the province is 127 per cent of normal, which is up from 119 per cent a month ago.