Drought Updates – Okanagan Basin Water Board

Drought Bulletin – April 28, 2026

🌱 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 2026 𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞. Low snowpack, a dry spring, and a hotter‑than‑average forecast mean drought conditions are likely to continue … Read more

Drought Bulletin – December 1, 2025

️The snow is here, but the Okanagan is still running on low battery! Since 2022, we’ve battled persistent drought conditions. The 2025 dry season was … Read more

Drought Bulletin – October 9, 2025

𝐎𝐤𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐡𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐧𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟒. That crisp fall air isn’t fooling anyone. The Okanagan is now at an Drought Level 4, rare for … Read more

Drought Bulletin – October 3, 2025

Don’t be fooled by the fall weather—the Okanagan is still in drought! Following a record-breaking September heatwave and very little rain, streamflows are dangerously low … Read more

Drought Bulletin – September 11, 2025

Drought Level Raised in the Okanagan The drought level has now been raised to 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑, reflecting dangerously low flows in local creeks and rivers. … Read more

Drought Bulletin – September 4, 2025

Heads up, Okanagan! The Okanagan’s drought level has been raised to 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟐 due to the hot, dry conditions. With little rain in the forecast, … Read more

Drought Bulletin – August 21, 2025

The Okanagan is at 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟎 as of today! This is great news, but we’re staying vigilant. Temperatures are expected to rise again, and … Read more

Drought Bulletin – July 25, 2025

Hey Okanagan! Seen some raindrops lately? While every drop helps, our water situation is still on our minds! Ever wondered what “drought” really means, beyond … Read more

Drought Bulletin – July 17, 2025

Let’s talk water! Despite some recent sprinkles, our region is still officially at 𝐃𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟑, and the Similkameen just moved to a 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝟒! … Read more

Drought Bulletin – July 10, 2025

Drought Alert: Level 3 for the Okanagan! It’s officially a hot, dry summer, and the Province has upped our drought level to Level 3 as … Read more

Drought Bulletin – June 13, 2025

Regional drought level vs. YOUR watering rules: What’s the difference?Here’s the scoop: The Okanagan could be heading into another hot, dry summer. Conditions across the … Read more

Okanagan Water Supply Webinar – April 11, 2025

Mark your calendars and join OBWB’s Water Stewardship Director Dr. Nelson Jatel for this year’s Okanagan Water Supply Webinar. Easily accessible via Zoom at the … Read more

Weather Report – March 2025

According to the Provincial Snow Supply Bulletin on February 1, the provincial
snowpack was 72% of normal, and the Okanagan was 84%.

Weather Report – February 2025

After the warm fall of 2024, January shifted to colder weather but has not reached the conditions of last year’s cold snap. The shift to colder weather was more gradual and less severe than last January. For precipitation, 2025 started off dry, and as of January 27th, the total precipitation for the month was well below average.

Weather Report – December 2024

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the La Niña could persist into the spring, which typically means cool, wet conditions in the Okanagan.

Click to read more about Environment and Climate Change Canada’s long-term forecast for November to January.

Weather Report – November 2024

The Okanagan is still technically in drought conditions (Level 2, or “very dry”). That being said, La Nina conditions are forecast for this winter, portending … Read more

Weather Report – August 2024

The declared drought level (level 3) in the Okanagan has held over the last few weeks. The occasional rain events have led to high enough … Read more

Water Science Specialist Report – July/August 2024

The Okanagan region remains at Drought Level 3 (“Severely Dry”). Provincial drought levels range from 0 – “non-drought conditions” to 5 – “exceptionally dry.” Read more in the OBWB’s Water Science Specialist report.

OBWB Drought Info Bulletin 3 – July 25, 2024

OKANAGAN DECLARED AT DROUGHT LEVEL 3 Conditions in the Okanagan are changing quickly. Cooler temperatures and rain in May and June have given way to … Read more

Okanagan Drought Info Bulletin 2 – July 19, 2024

OKANAGAN BACK TO DROUGHT LEVEL 2
The Okanagan began 2024 at Drought Level 2 due, in part, to low snowpack. With rain events in May and June, the Okanagan was downgraded to Level 1. After this reprieve, the recent heatwave, low stream flows and increasing water temperatures have prompted the Government of B.C. to move the Okanagan back to Drought Level 2.