The Boundary Region's snowpack has shrunk since the past measurement, but is still above normal as the province hits the halfway point for snow accumulation.
The latest report released on Jan. 9 showed the Boundary was sitting at 115 per cent of normal, down from 153 per cent in the first snowpack report from the province released last December.
The Boundary is still faring better than its immediate neighbours, with West Kootenays at 94 per cent, South Thompson at 100 per cent, and Okanagan at 102 per cent. However, these regions have also recorded significant increases in their snowpacks since the previous report: 85 per cent for both South Thompson and Okanagan and 79 per cent for West Kootenay.
This latest report also details some extremes in snowpack levels, with the lowest in Skagit, at 18 per cent, and the highest in Lower Thompson at 133 per cent.
The report also showed the entire province’s snowpack is at 87 per cent of normal. While this sounds concerning, it’s a marked increase from the same time last year, which was 56 per cent of normal.
“Weather during the first week of January was cold in northern portions of the province and warmer in the south, with mild storm systems affecting the coast," read the bulletin. "In general, below normal snow accumulation started the month. The upcoming seven-day weather forecast shows the likelihood of moderate storm systems arriving, particularly for the northern coastal regions."
Despite the increases, the report also noted snow accumulated at below the seasonal rate at the automated snow stations during the first week of January, snow at the automated snow weather stations has accumulated at a below seasonal rate.
The above-normal temperatures are likely to persist until March, according to seasonal weather forecasts in late December by Environment and Climate Change Canada.
But the potential for flooding and drought is still being monitored as the snow accumulation period progresses.
"Regions with normal to above normal snowpack levels have an increased risk for spring snowmelt related flooding, especially if La Niña conditions persist. Areas with below normal snowpacks show early concerns for drought conditions amplifying in the spring and summer."
Snowpack bulletins are released just after the first week of a new month in the winter and spring seasons.
