OBWB Drought Info Bulletin 3 – July 25, 2024
OKANAGAN DECLARED AT DROUGHT LEVEL 3 Conditions in the Okanagan are changing quickly. Cooler temperatures and rain in May and June have given way to … Read more
Flood Updates
Okanagan Drought Info Bulletin 2 – July 19, 2024
OKANAGAN BACK TO DROUGHT LEVEL 2
The Okanagan began 2024 at Drought Level 2 due, in part, to low snowpack. With rain events in May and June, the Okanagan was downgraded to Level 1. After this reprieve, the recent heatwave, low stream flows and increasing water temperatures have prompted the Government of B.C. to move the Okanagan back to Drought Level 2.
Okanagan Drought Info Bulletin – May 16, 2024
OKANAGAN MOVED TO DROUGHT LEVEL 2
Lingering effects from the 2023 drought, low winter snowpack, low precipitation, and warmer than normal temperatures causing an early freshet, have prompted the Government of B.C. to move the Okanagan to a Level 2 drought rating.
Weather Report – August 2023
The province-wide drought continues, although most Okanagan purveyors have been able to manage their water supplies. The Okanagan Lake dam operator in Penticton has reduced … Read more
Weather Report – June 2023
The Okanagan had a very quick turn-around from spring to summer, with a swift and early snowmelt. Globally, we are now in an El Nino … Read more
Okanagan water supply webinar – May 9
The Water Board hosted its 15th Okanagan Water Supply Webinar on May 9, 2023 As in past years, there were updates on Okanagan reservoir levels, … Read more
Weather Report – April 2023
The BC River Forecast Centre’s most recent biweekly snow conditions commentary (March 22) finds the Okanagan’s snowpack to be slightly above normal (106%) compared to the long-term median. … Read more
Weather Report – March 2023
The BC River Forecast Centre’s most recent biweekly snow conditions commentary (February 15) finds the Okanagan’s snowpack to be slightly above normal (104%) compared to … Read more
Weather Report – January 2023
The Mission Creek Snow Pillow (elevation 1780m) had a technical problem this year, and will not be operational until it is repaired in the summer. … Read more
Weather Report – October 2022
The water year ahead Hydrologists use the term ‘water year’ to describe the water supply year from October 1 – September 30. In this way of … Read more
Join us on May 10, 2022 for the Okanagan Water Supply Webinar
The 2022 Okanagan Water Supply Webinar provides a one-hour presentation from water experts on the annual outlook for flood and drought. Several water supply indicators … Read more
Weather Report – April 2022
The Mission Creek and Silver Star snow pillows appear to have recovered to normal levels for this time of year. However, Brenda Mines snow pillow … Read more
Weather Report – March 2022
Friday, April 8th, the River Forecast Centre (RFC) will release its April 1st Snow & Water Supply Bulletin, considered the benchmark report for comparison between years. … Read more
Weather Report – May 2021
As of May 15th, the Okanagan has a slightly below-normal snow pack, and the weather in the next month will determine whether we experience any … Read more
2021 Water Supply Webinar – May 12
The Okanagan Basin Water Board hosted its annual Water Supply Webinar on May 12, to review the current and forecasted water supply for 2021 in … Read more
Weather Report – April 2021
According to the B.C. River Forecast Centre, by March 15, on average, nearly 90% of the total seasonal snowpack has accumulated. The April 1st 2021 … Read more
Weather Report – Feb/March 2021
While we are still officially in La Nina conditions, we haven’t experienced the extreme precipitation that usually accompanies this trend in the Pacific Ocean. Climate … Read more
Weather Report – Jan/Feb 2021
As of the January 1 snow report from the BC River Forecast Centre, the Okanagan was 132% of average for snow pack (taking into account … Read more
Weather Report – December 2020
We continue to have moderate La Nina conditions, looking ahead for the winter. Forecasters are predicting a cold, snowy winter in Interior B.C. Good for … Read more
Weather Report – November 2020
We saw record snowfall for the month of October, despite the previously-forecast warmer than normal temperatures. The La Nina conditions in the Pacific are expected … Read more
Weather Report – July 2020
All of the snow pillow measurement stations show that the snowpack has now melted, and the freshet should now begin to subside. It will take … Read more
Weather Report – June 2020
All of the snowpack melted from the mid-elevation Brenda Mines observation station on the west side early in May, but there is still a very … Read more
Okanagan Water Board launches website, helping valley prepare for future flooding
Kelowna, B.C. – The Okanagan Basin Water Board held an online news conference today to introduce new valley-wide flood maps and launch the “Okanagan Flood … Read more
Weather Report – May 2020
As of April 22, the Okanagan’s average snow pillow level was 102% of normal for the watershed. The next snow bulletin will be released on … Read more