The third snow survey of the season at the Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada recorded 28 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 11 inches.
The Department of Water Resources said the snowpack is 66% of average for this date statewide, with the recent storms not enough to get the state back to average conditions for this time of year.
“We got the single best winter storm- we’ve had all winter that dumped a copious amount of snow across the entire Sierra Nevada and including the northern Sierra and Trinity areas, but then we’ve decided to mix in a really warm atmospheric river storm earlier this week or last week, which took its toll on the snow,” said David Rizzardo, Department of Water Resources Hydrology Manager.
The Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s water needs.
Christopher Tritto of East Bay Municipal Utility District said they’re watching the levels closely.
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“I think we’re cautiously optimistic,” Tritto said. “I think our overall assessment at this stage is that we will probably be in decent shape for this year and avoid drought levels, but this next month is a really important one. March is kind of our last big push for getting storms in here, atmospheric rivers, before the dry weather really kicks in and settles in for the rest of the year.”
The snow survey helps determine how much water will flow from the Sierra in the springtime snow melt.
Meanwhile, temperatures in some parts of the Bay Area felt more like summer Friday.
At Mission Dolores Park in San Francisco, people enjoyed the warmth.
And plenty of surfers at Ocean Beach in San Francisco did as well.
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The beach was busy at Linda Mar in Pacifica, with children flying kites and people playing frisbee.
“I love it,” said Ghanim Mashni, Millbrae Resident. “Me and my sister just went on a hike. Now we’re here on the beach. Some good surfing weather.”
“It’s nice,” said Melissa Bowers, Fair Oaks rfesident. “The kids get to enjoy it. Play with their kites. It’s nice.”
The next snow survey is scheduled for April 1.
That is considered a crucial one because that’s when the snowpack historically peaks.
Major reservoirs statewide are 122% above average.
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