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Okanagan Valley still experiencing drought despite rainy September

Ample precipitation in September is not enough to offset deficits early into the growing season
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Agriculture Canada’s most recent drought monitor report said ample precipitation in September is not enough to offset precipitation deficits from earlier in the growing season for many regions across B.C. (Screen shot from Agriculture Canada website)

Drought conditions persist for most of the Okanagan despite rainfall last month.

Agriculture Canada’s most recent drought monitor report said ample precipitation in September was not enough to offset precipitation deficits from earlier in the growing season for many regions across B.C.

The central Interior continued to receive below-normal precipitation, particularly in areas around Kelowna, Kamloops, Penticton, Vernon and Cranbrook. These areas received between 60 to 75 per cent of normal September rainfall, and extreme drought and exceptional drought conditions have expanded slightly since the previous report.

Across southern B.C., above-normal September precipitation allowed for slight drought improvement including the reduction of exceptional drought conditions for the southern Okanagan and southcentral areas. Areas along the U.S./B.C. border experienced a reprieve in conditions with near-normal precipitation levels in the past 60 days, despite an expansion of severe drought conditions northward.

Meanwhile, the province said that drought conditions have eased in early October. The province ranks drought levels on a scale from 0 to 5 and is separate from the federal evaluation. The entire Okanagan valley is experiencing level 3 drought conditions. However, Salmon River remains at a level 5 drought and adverse impacts are “almost certain.”

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@paulatr12
paula.tran@kelownacapnews.com

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