Dry January and lower snowpack levels in B.C. raise summer water concerns [Video]

The B.C. River Forecast Centre says that a historically dry January in many parts of B.C. means snowpack levels across the province were lower in February than at the start of the year.

And a B.C. hydrologist says if there isn’t more precipitation by April, it could impact the water supply.

Officials released a report in January indicating that the snowpack was fairly normal, following historically low levels in 2024 and accompanying drought concerns.

However, the Feb. 1 snowpack report from the River Forecast Centre shows that snowpack levels across the province are around 72 per cent of normal, which is a drop from the 87 per cent recorded in January.

Forecasters attribute the dip in snowpack to a largely precipitation-free January for much of B.C. and say the risk of drought will continue in the province if there isn’t much snow accumulation through the rest of the winter.

“Most areas still are relatively healthier than last year,” said Jonathan Boyd, a hydrologist with …