Jan 13 - Island snowpack is very low—here’s why that isn’t good

Good morning !

It’s been a wild week of weather: wind, water, snow, ice, and now sun.

It turns out that the snow couldn’t have been better timed. It arrived at the same time as a new report showing that the Island’s snowpack is even lower than it was last January—which could mean even worse drought this summer. More below.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ -3 / -6

Tomorrow: ☀️ 0 / -5

Monday: 🌤️ 2 / -4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Island snowpack started year at just 39% of normal, raising drought concerns

While some people may have had their fill of snow with this week’s fall, the Island has been in dire need of some. Measuring stations across BC had very low snow levels as 2024 began, according to a just-released report from the BC government’s River Forecast Centre.

Overall, BC’s snowpack on Jan. 1 was 56% of normal, down from 82% the previous year, and 15 stations reported their lowest New Year’s Day levels ever recorded.

The report says drought has extended into fall for two years straight and that the past three months have been warmer and drier than usual. It points specifically to last month being the warmest Dec. on record at Victoria Gonzales station, Comox A, and Campbell River A. 

About half of the total winter snowpack usually has built up by early Jan. the report says, and the current levels make a summer drought likelier (though they do make spring flooding less likely). The 2022 drought arrived even with a level of remaining snowpack in late spring that was nearly double the norm. 

Early concerns, but fate not yet written

Biologist and fisheries manager Graham Murrell told Ha-Shilth-Sa last month that snowpack is key to giving rivers a buffer of cool water to resist hot and dry weather. The hot El Niño conditions back in 2015-16 affected rivers, resulting in late migration and high mortality for salmon, he said. Last year’s conditions already had salmon “SWAT” teams stepping in to help the Island’s stressed fish populations. 

However, the new report points out that there are still three months left for snow accumulation—so plenty could change. While El Niño winters do tend to have lower snowpacks, it notes, they also vary quite a lot. Early 2024 is expected to be warm, but hasn’t shown a clear precipitation trend yet. 

The next seasonal risk forecast comes out on Feb. 8. 

See the interactive snowpack map here.

-By Cam Welch

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Arctic outflow warning continues until this afternoon for Greater Victoria, Southern Gulf Islands, and parts of East Island. [Details/safety]

City of Victoria opens emergency warming centre on Cook.

Blue-green algae alert lifted for Thetis Lake.  

Reservations for May long weekend camping (front and backcountry) with BC Parks open Jan. 17. [BC Gov]

NEWS

The most anticipated restaurant openings in 2024

Victoria said goodbye to some beloved restaurants in 2023 (RIP Sherwood), but as one restaurant door closes another one opens. 

Over the last few months there have been sneak peeks and pop-ups to tease what’s to come in 2024, and it looks like Victoria foodies will have their work cut out for them this year with multiple restaurants set to open across the city. Expect some tasty baked goods, farm-to-table cuisine and even more brunch options in the next few months.

From new ventures by established local favourites to entirely new endeavours, check out Tasting Victoria’s roundup of anticipated restaurants.

Nominate your favourite local restaurants in the Tasting Victoria Restaurant Awards. Enter your nominations in any of these 18 categories! 

NEWS

Storm aftermath: 100km/h winds caused damage and outages across South Island

As snow subsides, freezing cold is now the biggest weather concern for most in Greater Victoria. But it has only been a few days since severe wind storms caused damage all over the Island, and some people and communities are still recovering.

Winds hit the Island at up to 100km/h, causing:

• Power outages for more than 50K BC Hydro customers  

• Flooding on roads near the water, with closures in Victoria and Oak Bay.

• Homes damaged by fallen trees, causing up to $25K in damages for one Sooke family

Sooke was hit the hardest overall in the CRD, and had three schools closed due to power outage.

Read more in the Westshore on the damage this week’s storms left behind.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

⛲ Frozen fountain photographed at the Legislature amid -10C temp.

🌿 Oak Bay spa named one of best in North America: Boathouse Spa and Baths at Oak Bay Beach Hotel made Spas of America's top 100 list.

🚴 What’s your Max? Measure your cardiovascular fitness level and optimize your training with a VO2 Max test. Book now at Tall Tree Health. *

🐟 Herring sale fundraiser: Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer is hosting its annual sale today in support for BC Children’s Hospital Foundation at FAS Seafoods.

🤝 Now hiring: Executive Director at Capital Bike

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Man charged with impersonating dental hygienist 
Saanich Police filed charges of fraud under $5K and personation to gain advantage following a Jan. 4 tip. BC's oral health college says Emmanuel Osaseri was never registered and that it will investigate any complaints from the public. [BCCOHP / Saanich Police]

Furniture store to move into old Ricky’s space on Douglas
Standard Furniture is going to move onto the lot where a new building will go up in place of the restaurant, which burned down last summer and is the subject of police/fire investigation. It won’t be a long move: the current Standard location is nearby on Cloverdale. [CHEK]

Petition to bring train back to Island receives 7,610 signatures
The petition, initiated by Shawnigan Lake citizen Warren Skaalrud and sponsored by Alistair MacGregor, the NDP MP for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford, closed Thursday. It calls for the reinstatement of freight and passenger service along the E&N line which last saw sparks fly off its rails 10 years ago. [Petition]

Record number of rental homes built across BC in 2023
In total, 45,647 new homes were registered—39K+ multi-unit dwellings and 6K+ single detached units. The province says that’s a 30% increase over 2022. There were also 19K+ rental homes registered, almost 31% more than in 2022. Registered new-home data is collected before building permits are issued. [BC Gov]

🗓️ Things to do

🎹 Kate Wyatt Quartet: The Montreal-based pianist will perform at Hermann’s Jazz Club. Today. Doors 5:30pm, show 7pm. 

🖼️ Janis Woode at The Avenue Gallery: The exhibition of the artist’s metal sculptures is open until Wed. 

🎷 Tribute to Buena Vista Social Club: The Orchestra Obatalá will perform Latin hits at Belfry Theatre. Today. 7pm.

🍻 Herald Street Brew Works party: The craft brewery celebrates its third birthday with local entertainers and catered food. Today. 12pm-12am.   

🎧 Club Caution: A construction-themed back-to-school party at Capital Ballroom. Tonight. 10pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Bike lanes getting there; SMS board resigns; new pickleball plan. [Newsletter]

Victoria council greenlights green roofs [Capital Daily] 

Extreme weather shelter in Sooke open as temperatures drop. 

Gingerbread Showcase winner announced. This year’s theme for Habitat for Humanity's fundraiser was family traditions.

Water rushes onto Washington state ferry during storm. [ABC Video]

That’s it!

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