Prince George, B.C. – The April snow survey shows the snowpack in the Upper Fraser is 119% of what it should be at this time of the year.   The River Forecast Centre for B.C.’s Ministry of the Environment  says that level is largely due to the heavy precipitation  experienced in March. Snowpack increases were also noted in the Middle Fraser, North Thompson and the South Coast.

 

The Nechako snowpack is below normal for this time of year, at 77%.  The levels are also below normal in the Skeena-Nass basin where they are 85% of the normal range.

 

The information bodes well for the spring freshet, as the River Forecast Centre says “for the majority of the province, normal seasonal flood risk is expected. One exception is in the Upper Fraser basin, where the current snow basin index (119%) indicates a moderate increase in the seasonal flood risk.”

 

Of course there is always a chance sudden elevated temperatures for an extended period of time could bring on a rapid melt. Environment Canada though is predicting temperatures in the Northern part of B.C. will likely be below normal for April May and June.

 

For comparison, last year’s April 1st snow basin index in the Upper Fraser was 152%.