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Summerland snow pack has melted

May 15 measurements show snow pack is now gone from Isintok Lake site
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The snow pack has melted at Summerland Reservoir and Isintok Lake. Provincewide, snow levels are significantly lower than normal. (District of Summerland photo)

The snow is now gone from both Summerland鈥檚 measurement sites.

The May 15 snow survey data from the municipality of Summerland showed no snow remaining at either the Summerland Reservoir or the Isintok Lake sites.

Earlier, on May 1, the snowpack had melted at Summerland Reservoir, but some snow was still remaining at Isintok Lake.

The two sites are to the west of Summerland.

From Jan. 1 to May 1, municipal crews conduct measurements of the snowpack at both sites at the beginning of each month. In May and June, snow measurements are conducted twice a month until the snowpack has melted.

This year, the now pack measurements have been significantly lower than usual.

On Jan. 1, the water equivalent of the snowpack at Summerland Reservoir was 58 per cent of the historical average, while at Isintok Lake, it was 88 per cent of the historical average.

With the exception of the Feb. 1 measurements, when Isintok Lake was slightly above the historical average, the snow levels at the two sites have been lower than usual.

The trends in Summerland have been similar to the trends seen elsewhere in the province this winter.

Provincial statistics from May 15 showed the snowpack across the province was 57 per cent of normal, and the snow has been melting earlier than usual. Provincial data is conducted by the BC River Forecast Centre.

In the Okanagan, the new pack on May 15 was 49 per cent of normal while in the Similkameen, it was 46 per cent of normal.

Warm weather in early May resulted in an accelerated snow melt.

The BC River Forecast Centre says there are increased drought hazards as a result of low precipitation, low snow levels, an early snow melt and an increased likelihood of warmer-than-normal spring and summer weather.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

I have worked as a newspaper journalist since 1989 and have been at the Summerland Review since 1994.
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