Prince George, B.C. –  With a  relatively dry  December,  the  first  snowpack  survey  of 2016 shows  below normal  levels for  snowpack throughout  northern B.C.

As of January 1st, the   Upper Fraser East and West regions are both at 77% of normal snowpack. Last year at this time both areas were  about 88% of the norm.

The Nechako region  was  at 79% of  its normal  snowpack ,  down from the 90% registered at the same time last year.

The Skeena/Nass region  was sitting at 65%,   more than  double the 32%  level registered in  January  a year ago.

Most regions in the southern part of the province  have normal  or near normal  levels,  with the exception of the Similkameen  which  is already at 143% of  the norm  for January.

The River Forecast Centre says more detailed  survey results  will be  available in February.