B.C. forecast shows cool spring, flood hazard in high snowpack regions
British Columbia residents can expect a long, cool spring, with the highest risk of flooding likely coming in May and June as temperatures rise.
A seasonal weather outlook from B.C.’s Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness forecasts cool offshore temperatures that are likely to persist throughout the province in the spring months, delaying snowmelt this month.
The data reveals low water flows and low amounts of precipitation across much of B.C. over the past nine months, especially in the Kelowna area, but mountain snowpacks are in the normal range, with some variation across different regions.
As of April 1, the ministry says snowpack in the Interior is rated as moderate to high, and high in the Chilcotin, Lower Thompson and Boundary regions. The Okanagan is at 113 per cent of normal.
It says flood hazards will increase in areas of high snowpack, with the riskiest months being May to June as temperatures warm.
The ministry says it will be watching for periods of prolonged heat followed by heavy rains that can lead to flooding, as well as lightning, which can spark wildfires.
Matt MacDonald, lead forecaster with the B.C. Wildfire Service, said the drought conditions are elevated in the Okanagan, South Thompson and into the Chilcotin and part of the Rocky Mountain Trench from Cranbrook to Golden.
“Even though we had rain and snow through the winter months, our fuels haven’t really been absorbing much of that moisture so that has set us up for drought conditions in pockets of the province,” MacDonald said.
MacDonald said they are not expecting early spring lightning-caused fires due to continued growth of snowpack
Cliff Chapman with the Wildfire Service said the B.C. government has made the largest investment in the BCWS over the last year which includes the addition of four more structural protection units to protect homes, along with two mass water delivery systems to protect threatened communities.
“We have 113 new full time staff which is part of the commitment to being a year round organization and to ensure that we are preparing for what could come for this season ahead,” Chapman stated.
That could include assistance during the freshet season as well as fire season.
“We will have close to 2,000 B.C. Wildfire Service personnel on the ground ready to support the province this year. In addition, we will have 700 contractors at the ready,” Chapman said.
He encourages people to download the BC Wildfire Service mobile app which details where fires are and allows people to report fires.