At only 34 per cent, Vancouver Island has the lowest snowpack levels in the province for May 15. Levels remain very low province-wide with 31 per cent of the snow already melted. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

melting

Mountain snow melting faster than normal with Vancouver Island at lowest levels in B.C.

May 24, 2024 | 1:55 PM

NANAIMO — An early May heatwave reduced snowpack levels across the province, especially on Vancouver Island.

The May 15 snow survey and water supply bulletin had the Island at 34 per cent of normal snowpack for this time of year, down from 49 per cent on May 1, marking the lowest levels across B.C.

Province-wide only 57 per cent of the average snowpack remains, down from 66 per cent on May 1, remaining at “extremely low” levels for this time of year.

Typically done only once a month, the mid-May report is meant to highlight the rate at which the snow is melting.

Since the start of the year, 31 per cent of peak snowpack has melted province-wide, with an average of 17 per cent melted by this time.

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Last year by May 15, 43 per cent had melted driven by much warmer temperatures.

Despite higher-than-average temperatures hitting much of the province in mid-May no snowmelt-related flooding occurred with the hazard remaining low.

Both the Millstone River and Englishman Rivers are presently returning typical annual streamflows, according to the BC River Forecast Centre.

The bulletin said the greatest risk of flooding to watch out for in the next six weeks would be most likely from “widespread heavy rain events”, while low snowpack, early snowmelt and lingering impacts from the ongoing drought continue to cause concern about the dry conditions.

Following Vancouver Island the Middle Fraser area is reporting only 42 per cent of snowpack levels remaining, followed by East Kootenay at 44, the South Coast at 45, and Upper Fraser East at 47 per cent.

Only one snow basin in the Stikine region of Northern B.C. is above average, reporting 101 per cent of their snow basin still intact, with the Boundary area still holding at 74 per cent.

At 34 per cent, Vancouver Island has the lowest snowpack levels in B.C. Province-wide, 31 per cent of all mountain snow has melted by May 15, almost double the average of 17 per cent for this time of year. (B.C. River Forecast Centre)

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow