California’s second snow survey of the season, conducted on Friday, revealed the state’s snowpack to be well below average after a dry January.
Officials warn that it will be harder to catch up for California as the state progresses with below average precipitation.
By the numbers: The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) recorded 23 inches of snow depth at Phillips Station, which is the snow water equivalent of 8 inches and 46% of average for the location.
- California’s statewide snowpack is currently at 59 percent of average for the date, down from 89% three weeks ago following a series of atmospheric rivers.
- The state’s snowpack is at 36% of the April 1 average, the date that California typically has its largest snowpack of the season.
- DWR’s readings from 130 stations in the Sierra Nevada mountains found the statewide snowpack’s snow water equivalent is 9.7 inches.
What they’re saying: “After the storms at the start of the year gave way to warm, dry conditions, those early gains we saw have flatlined or slightly eroded,” said Andy Reising, Manager of DWR’s Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecasting Unit.
- He added, “Recent California winters have seen this pattern of long, dry and warm stretches interrupted by intense storms. We are now two-thirds through what should be the best snow-producing months of the year. While there is 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.”
