The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a high streamflow advisory for much of the Southern Interior as temperatures reach the low to mid-20 C range.
Thursday morning, high streamflow advisories were issued for the Nicola River and its tributaries, as well as the Salmon River near Salmon Arm.
Advisories have also been issued for the Similkameen River, the Tulameen River and surrounding tributaries, the Okanagan River and its tributaries around Osoyoos, Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon and area, and the Boundary Region including the Kettle River, Granby River and surrounding tributaries.
“Steady warming this week is leading to increasing snowmelt rates and river runoff,” the River Forecast Centre said. “Daily maximum temperatures have been reaching the low to mid-20°C range and are expected to reach similar levels today.”
“While low and mid elevation snowpack is now depleted, higher elevation areas above 1,600m have experienced a delayed melt this year, and significant snowpacks remain.”
High streamflow advisories were also issued for the Deadman River, Bonaparte River, as well as Cache Creek and the surrounding tributaries Thursday afternoon.
The BC River Forecast Centre says the North Thompson snowpack is at 142 per cent of normal, while the South Thompson was at 113 per cent of normal.
“A low-pressure system is expected to impact the BC Interior on Friday, bringing unsettled weather and repeated periods of moderate to heavy rainfall across the region over the weekend and into next week,” the River Forecast Centre added.
“Current hydrologic modelling is indicating the potential for a period of high flows throughout the region into the weekend. These forecasts include high-end estimates that there is a risk that flood conditions emerge over the weekend. There is still uncertainty in this weekend’s forecast, in particular the locations and amounts of rainfall.”
People are being reminded to stay away from fast-flowing waterways and riverbanks that may potentially be unstable.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Ken Christian says he is concerned about the potential for flooding given the weather we’ve seen so far this week.
“When we get this late in the season with out seeing appreciable snow melt at the higher elevation, anything can happen and I’m worried,” he said. “I think the message that [Utility Services] Manager, [Greg] Wightman gave us was ‘be prepared.’”
The City of Kamloops has also built two large private dikes at McArthur Island and Riverside Park in the hopes that it will reduce the need to use temporary flood protection measures during the spring freshet.
For the latest on any flood warnings and advisories, go here.
