On Jan. 1, the California Department of Water Resources conducted its first snow survey of the season at the Phillips Station, which is located at about 6,800 feet in elevation in El Dorado County. At the time, the statewide snowpack was at 108 percent of average thanks to large storms in late 2024.
The DWR conducted its second survey Friday as it was snowing. Water officials said the statewide snowpack is now at 65 percent of average. They recorded an average snow depth of 10.5 inches statewide.
(Left to right) Anthony Burdock, Water Resources Engineer, Andy Reising, Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager, and Chan Modini, Water Resources Engineer, conduct the second media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. The snow survey is held approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento off Highway 50 in El Dorado County. Photo taken January 31, 2025. Xavier Mascareñas / California Department of Water Resources Xavier MascareñasThe UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab reported earlier this week that it went more than three weeks with no measurable precipitation. The lab reported Monday that it had received about 1.5 inches of precipitation, making it the seventh driest January so far.
As January comes to a close, a storm has moved in and is expected to drop several inches of rain and snow across Northern California.
The state's reservoirs remain above average. Lake Oroville, one of the state's largest reservoirs, is at 126 percent of average for this time of the year. Reservoirs in Southern California are also near or above historical averages.
The next snow survey is currently scheduled for Feb. 28. The DWR will conduct two more monthly surveys and possibly a third in May.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Dry January drops California snowpack "well below average" despite strong start, DWR says )
Also on site :