“California Snowpack Reaches 96% of Average – Third Straight Year of Ample Water Supplies!”

California’s Snowpack Reaches 96% of Average, Providing Third Straight Year of Ample Water Supply

As the end of California’s storm season approaches, the Sierra Nevada mountains have received a fresh blanket of snow, pushing the state’s snowpack to 96% of average on April 1st. This near-average snowpack marks a significant milestone, giving the state a third consecutive year of ample water supplies in the mountains – a rare occurrence that hasn’t been seen in a quarter of a century.

Andy Reising, the manager of snow surveys and water supply forecasting for the California Department of Water Resources, expressed gratitude for the unexpected boost in snowfall during February and March. Earlier in the year, there were concerns about a potential dry spell, but the continuous storm activity has helped maintain the snowpack at near-average levels.

This winter’s snowfall follows an extremely wet and snowy 2023 and a wet 2024. Comparatively, this time last year, the snowpack measured 111% of average. The dominance of wet weather has provided relief from the severe drought that plagued California from 2020 to 2022, marking the state’s driest three-year period on record.

The last time California experienced three consecutive years of average or above-average snowpack was from 1998 to 2000, with a similar pattern occurring from 1978 to 1980. The recent storms have not only increased snowpack levels but have also brought ample rains at lower elevations, resulting in statewide precipitation measuring 103% of average since October 1st.

The abundance of precipitation in the last two years has left California’s major reservoirs in good shape, currently at 117% of average levels. The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, responsible for supplying water to 19 million people across six counties, has reported a record amount of water stored in reservoirs and underground storage areas.

State water officials have responded to the increased snowpack by raising their forecast of water deliveries this year from the aqueducts of the State Water Project. The allocation has been increased to 40% of requested supplies, up from 35% a month earlier. Additionally, the Trump administration announced an increase in water allocations for the Central Valley Project, benefiting agricultural irrigation districts and communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

While the current snowpack and reservoir levels provide stability in water supply for California, experts warn that the threat of a dry spell remains ever-present. Scientific research indicates that droughts are becoming more intense in the western United States due to global warming, with rising temperatures altering runoff patterns and snow lines in the mountains.

As spring approaches, California is expected to transition to drier and warmer conditions, following a pattern of more snow and wetter conditions in Northern California compared to the drier conditions in Southern California. Despite the positive outlook for water supply in the state, officials emphasize the importance of water conservation and preparedness for future dry spells.