A drought lasting more than a year has been declared over in the Thompson Okanagan. Agriculture Canada’s drought watch says there are no longer drought conditions in BC, although the recent warm weather means that could change in the future. “For the growing season (April 1 to present), most of British Columbia received above-normal precipitation, however long-term precipitation deficits remained in the southern and central interior,” Agriculture Canada said. The federal agency noted that it was a quiet year for wildfires due to a cool and wet spring. “However the recent warm dry weather has raised concerns about an increase in wildfires and drought conditions potentially returning.” “Despite recent increases in temperature and dry conditions, short- and long-term rainfall, soil moisture, streamflow and other indicators did not warrant a drought designation anywhere in the province, and only small pockets of ‘abnormally dry’ conditions remained,” concluded. the federal bulletin. Drought was first announced in the Okanagan in April 2021 with conditions worsening and peaking in August 2021 at an “extreme drought” rating — the highest level possible and usually only seen twice a century. Some farmers were ordered to stop pumping water from the Kettle River. Conditions then gradually improved during the rest of the year and into 2022, when a very wet spring finally led to rainfall deficits in the region. Photo: Ag Canada Yellow shows pockets of “abnormally dry” rating in BC
