California officials on Tuesday are set to conduct their first measurement of the state’s snowpack so far this season.The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be at the Phillips Station along Highway 50 in the Sierra to see how much snow the mountains have picked up after recent snowstorms. The water year, which began in October, had a dismal start until recently, when ski resorts reported several feet of fresh powder.| VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE | The snow survey begins at 11 a.m. Watch above when it beginsSnow is a major contributor to California’s water supply, so DWR’s monthly snow surveys serve a vital role in gauging how much water the state will receive from snow when it all melts into rivers and lakes.That includes Folsom Lake. Data from DWR show that the lake is currently at 136% of its average for this time of year and at 56% of its overall capacity.Across the Sierra, snowpack amounts as of Dec. 30 vary. DWR’s website indicates that the Northern Region is at 51% of average for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Central Region is at 72%, while the Southern Region is at 94%.The survey begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday.Years can vary for the state’s snowpack by the end of the season. Some years have had strong starts but finish below average if the weeks or months that follow stay dry. There have also been dry starts to the season that are balanced out by stronger storms later on.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. —

California officials on Tuesday are set to conduct their first measurement of the state’s snowpack so far this season.

The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) will be at the Phillips Station along Highway 50 in the Sierra to see how much snow the mountains have picked up after recent snowstorms. The water year, which began in October, had a dismal start until recently, when ski resorts reported several feet of fresh powder.

| VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE | The snow survey begins at 11 a.m. Watch above when it begins

Snow is a major contributor to California’s water supply, so DWR’s monthly snow surveys serve a vital role in gauging how much water the state will receive from snow when it all melts into rivers and lakes.

That includes Folsom Lake. Data from DWR show that the lake is currently at 136% of its average for this time of year and at 56% of its overall capacity.

Across the Sierra, snowpack amounts as of Dec. 30 vary. DWR’s website indicates that the Northern Region is at 51% of average for this time of year. Meanwhile, the Central Region is at 72%, while the Southern Region is at 94%.

The survey begins at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

Years can vary for the state’s snowpack by the end of the season. Some years have had strong starts but finish below average if the weeks or months that follow stay dry. There have also been dry starts to the season that are balanced out by stronger storms later on.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel