California’s snowpack is shrinking after a rather dry January. The Department of Water Resources says new measurements show snow levels below average for this time of year.
“Although today’s results are below average, we still have some time to catch up before the critical April 1st measurements. Current forecasts don’t show any significant precipitation or snow for the next two weeks,” DWR Snow Survey Manager Andy Reising said.
Statewide snowpack now sits at 59% of average, down from 89% just weeks ago after a series of atmospheric rivers.
While there’s still time for February and March to deliver additional snow, the farther into the season we get with below average conditions, the harder it will be to catch up.
“Every week that goes by without major snowfall makes it harder for us to catch up and allows mountain soils to dry up and hinders snowmelt runoff later in the year when reservoirs are expected to fill,” Reising said.
On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies nearly 30% of California’s water needs, and data from the surveys offer key information in determining how DWR manages the state’s water resources.
Despite the dry conditions, major reservoirs actually remain above average.
The next survey is scheduled for early March.
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