Plains Runoff Outlook

As of February 1, 2002, spring snowmelt runoff is forecast to be much-below-normal to below-normal for most of the province's plains (Figure 1). The only exception is an area north of Grande Prairie and southwest of the Town of Peace River where normal spring snowmelt runoff is forecast. Soil moisture is very low for all but a few isolated areas in the north and this means that even in areas such as Red Deer and Calgary, which have near-normal snowpack, runoff is expected to be below-normal.

Routine snow surveys to monitor snowpack on the plains begin in late February. Since it is still early in the runoff forecasting season, further weather conditions leading up to spring could also change this forecast considerably. Check the Forecaster's Comments on the department website throughout the month for the most current conditions.