Combined cooler and wetter weather through March has led to significant growth of snow packs throughout the province as of Apr. 1, and the River Forecast Centre says above normal spring runoff volume is expected in most basins across B.C..
Very high snow packs (135 per cent of normal) are present in the Upper Fraser, Nechako, and Skeena-Nass basins, with a record high, snow basin index values in the Upper Fraser and Nechako, and the second highest snow basin index values for the Skeena-Nass (over approximately a 60 year record for each basin). High snow packs (120 per cent of normal) are present in the Lower Fraser, Columbia, Kootenay, South Coast, Vancouver Island and Peace regions. Snow packs in other areas of the province are slightly above normal, with the North Thompson at 112 per cent, and the South Thompson at 106 per cent.
The snow basin index for the entire Fraser River basin is 131 per cent of normal. This is the fifth highest April 1st snowpack observed since 1953, and is similar to levels observed in 2007.
Snowmelt driven rivers in British Columbia generally reach their peak levels in May and June.
