Photo via BC River Forecast Centre
The B.C. River Forecast Centre has issued a High Streamflow Advisory for much of the Interior, including on the Thompson River, west of Kamloops.
It comes as temperatures are forecast to hit at least 10 degrees above normal by Saturday before easing into next week.
“A strong upper ridge is forecast to build across B.C. on Thursday and into the weekend,” the advisory said. “Temperatures are expected to rise to well above normal…reaching up to 23 C in northern areas (Prince George) and 27 C in the Okanagan (Kelowna).”
“Temperatures are forecast to remain high on Sunday, and ease slightly into next week. A low-pressure trough may bring precipitation to the region next week.”
The warmer temperatures are expected to lead to an increase in some river levels due to melting snow in the mid-elevation – approximately 900-1500 metres – over the weekend.
Areas of concern west of Kamloops include Cache Creek, Guichon Creek, and the Bonaparte River as well as the Salmon River near Falkland and Salmon Arm, south east of the city.
Please be advised of a High Streamflow Advisory issued by the BC River Forecast Centre for a number of areas, including Cache Creek, Bonaparte River and Guichon Creek.
To find all active Advisories in B.C. and information notices, click here: https://t.co/U5aVSpdVGQ #bcflood https://t.co/YRRzrX1ZaO
— TNRD (@TNRD) April 26, 2023
High streamflow advisories have also been issued on the Upper and Middle Fraser river basins around the Prince George, Quesnel, and Williams Lake areas, and on the Salmon and Okanagan river basins, southeast of Kamloops.
A high streamflow advisory means that river levels are rising, or expected to rise rapidly, but no major flooding is expected.
While the latest snow measurements from the beginning of April showed provincial snow levels were below normal, some areas, including the Upper Fraser West region and the Boundary, Okanagan and Nicola regions, had snow levels above normal levels.
While snow levels across much of B.C. were below normal, the River Forecast Centre did warn of a possible risk of flooding if there was to be a sudden heat wave after a cooler than usual start to spring. Hydrologist Jonathan Boyd also told NL News in March, that the area around Cache Creek was a bit of a concern owing to a high snowpack in the Lower Thompson.
While river and lake levels in the Kamloops-area were well below normal earlier this month, people are being reminded to stay away from fast-flowing waterways and riverbanks that may potentially be unstable.
For the latest on any flood warnings and advisories, go here.
