The first snowpack measurements of the season in California show a promising start, but experts warn of a potential for drier years to come due to uneven precipitation across the state.
Every winter, scientists across California ascend high into the Eastern Sierra mountains via skis, snowshoes, motorized snow cats and helicopters. Along with equipment to survive harsh days and nights in the Sierra backcountry, they bring a snow-sampling kit made up of long, thin aluminum pipes. Their mission: measure the weight of the snow beneath their feet. The simple measurement has serious implications for the whole state.
Come spring, it will make up nearly two-thirds of Los Angeles’ water supply — an essential lifeline as Southern California continues to endure unseasonably dry conditions. On Thursday, hydrologists made their first measurements of the season at Phillips Station, which the state has measured every winter for over 80 years to forecast L.A.’s water supply for the coming year. This year, the team found a snowpack equivalent to nine inches of water at the station. It’s roughly 91% of the average snowpack at the station by this time of year and slightly behind the rest of the state, which is currently at around 108% of its average snowpack, based on other measures that are part of a statewide snow-survey program. While it's a promising start to the season, the numbers belie the reality that there have been extreme differences in precipitation across the state in recent months, indicating that California may be headed for a drier few years. And experts say it's little indication for how much snow the rest of the winter will see. “We’ve had that big atmospheric river series of storms in November and a few others in December, so that's a great start for the north but the south is definitely under average,” said Andy Reising, manager of snow surveys and water supply forecasting at the department. “We’ll need a progression of monthly storms to keep going because otherwise we will end up … under average by the end of the year.” Roughly every two to seven years, the tropical Pacific Ocean cycles through unpredictable periods of warm and cool period
CALIFORNIA SNOWPACK WATER SUPPLY DROUGHT CLIMATE CHANGE
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
California Snowpack Survey Shows Promising Start to Water YearCalifornia's first monthly snowpack survey is scheduled for Thursday, expected to reveal a positive outlook for the early stages of the rain and snow season. The survey comes after a year with significantly fewer and smaller wildfires compared to previous years, attributed to advancements in fire prevention technology and public awareness.
Read more »
California Starts 2025 With Promising Snowpack, But More Storms NeededCalifornia officials report a good start to the winter snowpack, with 24 inches of snow recorded at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada. However, they emphasize the need for additional storms to ensure adequate water supplies for the state.
Read more »
Sierra Nevada snowpack above average to start the year, a promising sign for state water suppliesLots of snow and rain so far this year in Northern California, while Southern California is unusually dry.
Read more »
California’s Snowpack Offers Solid Start to 2025, But More Storms NeededCalifornia's snowpack is off to a good start in 2025, but officials warn that more storms are needed to ensure adequate water supplies for the state. The snowpack is currently at 91% of the average for this time of year.
Read more »
California Snowpack off to Strong Start, but More Storms NeededCalifornia's snowpack is showing promise for the year, but experts warn that more precipitation is required to ensure adequate water supplies throughout the state.
Read more »
California begins 2025 with solid start to winter snowpack, but more storms are neededCalifornia is beginning 2025 with a solid start to the winter snowpack, but more storms are needed to keep the state’s water supplies on track.
Read more »