California’s snowpack has fallen well below average following an extremely dry January, according to the Department of Water Resources’ second snow survey of the season.
The survey was conducted Friday at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada near Sacramento.
The survey recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 8 inches—just 46% of the historical average at that location. Statewide, the snowpack sits at 65% of normal for this time of year.
The alarmingly low figures come after California’s snowpack was more than 108% of average at the start of the year thanks to winter storms in November and December in the Northern Sierra.
But persistent dry conditions in January have pushed levels downward and wiped out much of that healthy head start.
“California missed out on critical snow-building storms in January which has pushed the state down below average for this time of year,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “For each day it’s not snowing or raining, we are not keeping up with what we need.”
Currently, the Central Sierra snowpack sits at 58% of average while the Southern Sierra has dipped below 50%.
While some storms are forecast for February, Nemeth says the state has experienced previous years where early-season gains were erased by prolonged dry spells.
“Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” Nemeth said.
But there’s probably no reason to despair quite yet. The state’s snowpack has also gotten off to a slow start and roared back as recently as last year.
During the 2024 January Phillips Station survey, the state’s snowpack level was only around 25% of historical averages. By April’s survey, which DWR says is the most telling, the state had bounced back to more than 113% of average.
And despite lower snowpack levels, officials say California’s reservoirs remain in strong shape due to effective water management.
Lake Oroville, the largest reservoir in the State Water Project, is at 126% of average for this time of year, while San Luis Reservoir is at 101% of average. Southern California’s reservoirs are also near or above normal levels.
Snowpack levels are a crucial component of the state’s annual water supply forecast, which helps determine water allocation across the state throughout the year. The state’s snowpack accounts for about 30% of the state’s water availability, according to DWR.
The California Department of Water Resources conducts four to five snowpack surveys at Phillips Station throughout the year, beginning in early January and continuing each month through April and May, if necessary. The next snow survey will take place Feb. 28.
To read more about California’s current water conditions, click here.
