FEBRUARY 2017 • COUNTRY LIFE IN BC
Lower than normal snowpack
by TOM WALKER
KELOWNA – It may sound surprising with all the snow in the Lower Mainland at the start of the year, but snow pack levels are below normal across much of BC.
As of January 1, the average of all snow measurements across the province was 82%, according to the BC River Forecast Centre. That covers a range from 49% of normal in the Liard district followed by 54% in the Stikine and 59% in Upper Fraser West. The Kootenays and Okanagan also average below normal, in the 80% range. Vancouver Island, the South Thompson and Similkameen sit around 100% while the Skagit, Lower Fraser and South Coast have the greatest snow depths for this time of year at 114%. November was unusually warm (2C to 5C above normal across the province) and generally wetter, with southwest BC much wetter than normal. That meant precipitation came as rain even at high altitudes and some early season snow was washed away.
December saw a complete reverse. Arctic air dominated and temperatures were 2C to 5C below normal through to the beginning of January. Precipitation amounts were not exceptional but it came as snow due to the lower temperatures. Low elevation areas of south west BC received 130% to 300% of normal snowfall.
Temperatures in the central Okanagan approached -25C several nights but intermittent snowfalls have left about 30 cm on the ground which should offer protection for vineyards and orchards. But those temperatures make winter pruning difficult and some growers may need to catch up when the weather breaks, notes BC Fruit Growers’ Association Fred Steele.
Usually, more than half of the annual BC snowpack has accumulated by early January. At this time, it appears that there is limited flood risk developing across the province, but it is early. With three or more months left of snow accumulation, those outlooks could change significantly.
It’s not over
Don’t put away your woolies just yet, however. Seasonal forecasts from
Environment and Climate Change Canada indicate an increased likelihood of below- normal temperatures across northern and western BC for January through to March. The good news? The “dead of winter” has passed. Statistically, senior
climatologist David Phillips explains, that’s the day when we hit the lowest average temperature and turn the corner. That was January 3 for Victoria, the 4th for Vancouver and January 6 for Kelowna. The Peace will likely hit bottom around mid- January (Edmonton is January 8), but your relatives in St. Johns, NL will have to wait ‘til February 8.
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Chilly start to a winter day near Enderby. SWEET IRON PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTO
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