(KRON) — The Division of Water Sources carried out its first snow survey of the season at Phillips Station within the Sierra Nevada mountains on Thursday. The handbook survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equal of 9 inches.
2024’s record-breaking scorching and dry summer time continued nicely into the autumn, however a robust atmospheric river in November broke a number of rainfall information in Northern California. A collection of storms in late December added sufficient layers to the Sierra Nevada snowpack to convey it above common.
DWR’s digital readings from 130 stations positioned all through the Sierra Nevada point out that the statewide snowpack’s snow water equal is 10.7 inches, or 108 % of common for this date, in comparison with 28 % on this date final yr.
Thursday’s survey at Phillips Station discovered snow depths that have been 91 % of common. The survey is held roughly 90 miles east of Sacramento in El Dorado County.
“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 autumn was extraordinarily dry, so our wholesome snow totals are due to a handful of massive storm techniques in November and late December.”
Andy Reising, DWR Snow Surveys and Water Provide Forecasting Unit supervisor, conducts the primary snow survey of the season at Phillips Station within the Sierra Nevada on January 2, 2025. (Photograph by Nick Shockey / DWR)
Main reservoirs statewide are at present 121 % of common thanks to 2 consecutive years of above-average snowpack situations, officers stated. The Sierra snowpack is California’s “frozen reservoir,” supplying about 30 % of the state’s water wants.
Reising stated, “We will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter.”
As of January 2, the Northern Sierra snowpack is 160 of common, the Central Sierra is 94 %, and the Southern Sierra is 75 %.
“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April when our water supply picture will be more complete,” stated DWR director Karla Nemeth.
