Thanks to a series of early winter storms, the first official survey of the season on Thursday found the vital California snowpack at a near-average level.
The traditional manual survey by the Department of Water Resources at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91% of average for that location. Statewide, the snowpack is at 108% of average for Jan. 2.
Nevertheless, water officials cautioned that conditions could change significantly between now and April.
“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April when our water supply picture will be more complete,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme shifts between dry and wet conditions are continuing this winter, and if the past several years are any indication, anything could happen between now and April and we need to be prepared.”
Water officials said a record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall, but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. A series of storms in late December provided another boost.
“We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season,” said DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising. “The fall was extremely dry, so our healthy snow totals are thanks to a handful of big storm systems in November and late December.”
“But to finish the year where we need to be, we will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter,” Reising said.
Major reservoirs statewide are currently 121% of average thanks to two consecutive years of above average snowpack, which occurred after the driest three-year period on record in California.
On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s water needs. Its natural ability to store water is why the snowpack is often referred to as the state’s “frozen reservoir.”
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