There’s lots of snow in the Okanagan hills, but weather patterns could be changing.
B.C.’s River Forecast Centre says the region’s snowpack level is 122 per cent of normal.
“Snow and weather conditions so far this season have been typical for an El Niño year,” states the centre’s latest survey.
“In southern B.C., snowpacks are much better developed than the extremely low conditions that were experienced last year.”
Seasonal forecasts from Environment Canada are indicating a high likelihood of above-normal temperatures across B.C. from February to April, and an increased chance of warmer than normal temperatures through the extended forecast period into the summer months.
Seasonal forecasts from NOAA suggest a more southern path for the Pacific jet stream through the February-April period, with increased precipitation for California, and decreased precipitation for B.C.
“Seasonal precipitation forecasts tend to have much lower forecast skill than seasonal temperature forecasts, and therefore should be used with caution,” states the River Forecast Centre.