November, 6, 2023; Silverthorne, Colorado, USA; Snow sits on the Colorado Rockies at the Continental Divide on Loveland Pass. Water from here will flow either east to the Gulf of Mexico or west down the Colorado River to California and then into Mexico. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Hughes-USA TODAY NETWORK
California – Despite a dry start to the year, a late surge of storms has boosted California’s snowpack to 96% of average as of April 1st, the typical peak of the snow season. This near-average snowpack marks the third consecutive year of healthy water reserves in the Sierra Nevada, a phenomenon not seen in a quarter of a century.
“Earlier on, there were some indicators that we might have a dry year, but fortunately, the storm windows have stayed open and given us a good boost in February and March to be where we are today,” explained Andy Reising, manager of snow surveys and water supply forecasting for the California Department of Water Resources.
This follows an extremely wet 2023 and a wet 2024, providing a welcome reprieve from the severe drought experienced between 2020 and 2022, the state’s driest three-year period on record. The last time California witnessed three consecutive years of average or above-average snow was from 1998 to 2000.
The recent storms have also contributed to ample rainfall at lower elevations, with statewide precipitation since October 1st measuring 103% of average. Furthermore, California’s reservoirs are currently at 117% of average levels, reflecting the cumulative impact of the past two wet years.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California reports record water reserves in reservoirs and underground storage areas. “The reservoirs are above average for this time of year, and so that’s a great sign for this year moving forward,” Reising stated. California’s snowpack typically supplies nearly a third of the state’s water.
The improved snowpack has prompted state water officials to increase their water delivery forecasts from the State Water Project to 40% of requested supplies. Similarly, the federal government has increased water allocations from the Central Valley Project (CVP), with agricultural irrigation districts south of the Delta now receiving 40% allocations.
The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, acting under President Trump’s executive order, aims to “maximize” water deliveries, prompting concerns from environmental advocates about potential impacts on vulnerable fish species.
Despite the positive water outlook, experts caution that future dry spells are inevitable. Scientific research indicates that global warming is intensifying droughts in the western U.S. and causing snow lines to rise.
This year, Northern California experienced more snow and wetter conditions compared to Southern California. As of Tuesday, the northern Sierra Nevada snowpack measured 118% of average, while the central and southern Sierra measured 91% and 84% of average, respectively.
Climate scientist Daniel Swain of UCLA noted that drier and warmer conditions are expected in the coming days, signaling the onset of spring.
