Recent rain, cooler weathers has not impacted drought conditions

Despite having a cool, wet week, the Okanagan’s drought rating remained unchanged.

The Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources reported that the local area was ranked at Drought Level 3 for the sixth straight week Thursday, August 29.

Under Level 3, conditions have the potential to have negative impacts on the socio-economic and ecosystem values. People in the affected area are advised to follow all local water restrictions, and to take additional measures to conserve water when possible.

The drought level was unchanged despite Environment Canada reporting 27 millimetres of precipitation in Vernon, and 17.2mm in Kelowna over the previous seven days. The average daytime mean temperatures over those days were 17.1 degrees Celsius in Vernon and 16.5° in Kelowna.

The Lower, South and North Thompson areas were all unchanged at Level 3, and the Nicola region was at Drought Level 4 for a third straight week.

The Similkameen area meanwhile marked it’s second week of declines, falling to Drought Level 2 August 28.

There were four regions ranked Drought Level 5, the highest drought rating, as of Thursday.

The Upper Fraser West and Bulkley-Lakes region were at Level 5 for the third straight week, while Fort Nelson’s conditions worsened and the rating rose to the highest ranking.

The West and East Vancouver Island areas saw their rankings fall on a weekly basis from Level 5 to Level 4.

The only area to be ranked Drought Level 0 Thursday, the lowest possible rating, was the Northwest region.