A mix of hot, dry weather interspersed with unsettled, wetter conditions throughout the Similkameen valley led to rapid mid-elevation snow pack levels throughout the valley.
Temperatures through May were generally 1-3°C above normal in the Lower Similkameen, in conjunction with conditions that were drier than normal.
Snow basin indices for June 1 indicated above-normal levels in the Okanagan (123 per cent of normal) and Similkameen (167 per cent of normal). These indices are based on high elevation sites, as the mid elevations snow is now gone in both watersheds. However, the high level indices are reflective of snow conditions in only a small portion of their watershed area. Stream flow in the Similkameen was above average through May, and with the diminished snow pack at mid levels, the seasonal risk for flooding in the Similkameen has decreased.
“The two or more short, three day warm spells we had in May were well timed,” said Dave Campbell of the BC Rivers Forecast Centre.
“The high per centage of remaining high level snow pack is not necessarily a reflection of flood risk in the Similkameen at this point.” Campbell said the river has now dropped to normal to below normal flow rates for this time of year.
“It would take an unusual rain event to occur at this point to bring the flood risk back up at this point,” he said.
Seasonal forecasts from Environment Canada continue to indicate an increased likelihood of above normal temperatures across British Columbia, particularly through south and southwest parts of the province.
The transient farmworkers and others who have been frequenting the former Farmworkers Campground area east of Keremeos have resettled in the river flats after spending the latter part of May on the village side of the dike. The Similkameen River is back within its banks after encroaching on the campground area in May.