Normal volume of spring runoff forecasted for Upper Fraser East region
By Abigail Popple, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, RMG
The Upper Fraser East region, which spans roughly from Valemount to Prince George, saw a slight decline in snowpack levels throughout February, according to data from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. Last month, the region sat at 81 per cent of normal and now sits at 75 per cent.
However, the region saw much higher snowpack this year than it did in 2024, when the March 1st snowpack survey was 52 per cent of normal. Given the high volume of snow accumulated from March 7th-9th and a prediction of above-normal precipitation in the Omineca region, it is likely that the Robson Valley will see normal levels of runoff this spring, according to the Ministry.
The entire province saw dry conditions throughout February, and the northern interior recorded below-normal precipitation throughout the month, the Snow Conditions and Water Supply Bulletin says. However, an atmospheric river – long, narrow columns in the atmosphere that carry water vapor outside of tropics – brought large amounts of mountain snowpack to many parts of the province over the weekend of March 7th-9th, according to the bulletin. These conditions brought the northern interior closer to normal snowpack, it says.
The Ministry forecasts warmer weather and more precipitation than normal from the rest of March through May, though long-term predictions of precipitation are difficult to make, the bulletin says. In particular, the Omineca region – part of the central interior of B.C., which includes the Robson Valley – is forecasted to receive above normal precipitation during this time.
Additionally, the Ministry forecasts a normal volume of runoff for areas near the Upper Fraser. Areas with normal or near-normal runoff have a higher likelihood of flood risk, the bulletin says. Drought is likelier for areas with very low snowpack, such as the Chilcotin, Nechako, and Central Coast regions.
The River Forecast centre will continue to monitor snowpack conditions through June. The Ministry will release another Snow Conditions and Water Supply Bulletin on April 9th or 10th, depending on data availability.
