Current snow conditions suggest the B.C. Southern Interior could be facing its second straight summer of drought conditions.
In most areas, low-elevation snow is generally absent and mid-elevation snow throughout Interior valleys is well below normal.
Readings taken March 1 show the Okanagan and Kettle valley snowpacks at 86 per cent of normal and the Similkameen at 67 per cent.
Generally, by this date, about 80 per cent of the mountain snowpack has accumulated, so there is only four to six weeks left to add more snow.
Cooler weather and lower freezing levels this week are welcome, but to reduce the potential for low water flow or drought problems this summer, rainfall in April, May and June will need to be at or above normal, B.C. Environment Minister Barry Penner said.
If drought conditions continue this year more people could be hit with water restrictions, Penner said.
However, if El Nino conditions persist through the spring, above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation can be expected.
