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2026: Level 5, record-low snowpack, and a strong El Nino ahead
The current drought, and the fourth year of a multi-year dry spell. The Okanagan reached Drought Level 5 in May, the only region in BC rated that high, on the lowest April snowpack since records began in 1980. A strong-to-very-strong El Nino is forecast to prolong the drought into 2027.
2026 is the drought this whole history points toward: the fourth year of a multi-year drought, on record-low snowpack, with a seasonal outlook for it to continue.
Local government & infrastructure
- Watering restrictions were already in place across several Okanagan municipalities and regional districts by late May 2026, with OBWB indicating communities were planning water restrictions in anticipation of dry conditions. [High] (source)
- Okanagan Lake outflows were held to a minimum (~5 m3/s in late Feb 2026) by the provincial dam manager to conserve reservoir storage for the expected dry summer, with the lake kept deliberately low. [High] (source)
Quality of life
- Precipitation deficits across Okanagan communities were severe as of 2026-05-25 (Penticton 21%, Kelowna 47%, Vernon 56% of expected), signalling heightened water-supply stress heading into summer. [High] (source)
Environmental flow & fish
- Water levels in Osoyoos Lake and Okanagan Lake were deliberately kept low to lessen ecological impacts, and the International Osoyoos Lake Board of Control declared drought conditions on 2026-05-12; Osoyoos Lake reached record-low levels expected to persist until spring. [Moderate] (source)
Level 5 Peak provincial drought rating (28 May 2026)
58% (lowest since 1980) Apr 1 snowpack
16% May 15 snowpack
Sources: kelownacapnews.com · osoyooslake.ca · infonews.ca · kelownanow.com · droughtportal.gov.bc.ca · obwb.ca · globalnews.ca · vernonmatters.ca · www2.gov.bc.ca · www2.gov.bc.ca · castanet.net · cbc.ca