This year’s second official survey of the critical California snowpack on Tuesday showed only 52% of normal despite recent storms, the Department of Water Resources reported.
The traditional manual survey at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada recorded a snow depth of 29 inches and snow water equivalent of 10 inches — 58% of average for this time in the season.
Electronic readings from 130 stations throughout the state on Tuesday showed an overall lower average of 52% of normal at a snow water equivalent of 8.4 inches.
The latest readings “reflect a modest increase in the snowpack since Jan. 1, but overall conditions are still far below normal,” the DWR said. One year ago, the snowpack was at 214% of average for this time.
The DWR noted that many storms so far this year have been warmer than average, producing rain rather than snow at higher elevations.
“This year’s El Niño has delivered below average precipitation and an even smaller snowpack,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “Californians must prepare for all possible conditions during the remaining months of the rainy season.”
California relies on the Sierra snowpack — the state’s so-called “frozen reservoir” — for 30% of its water needs. The next survey is tentatively scheduled for March 1.