State says dry conditions continue even as recent winter storms bring much-needed snow

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Despite recent winter storms that brought heavy rain and snow to parts of the state, California’s snowpack is continuing to lag, according to a new state report.

The Department of Water Resources conducted the second manual snow survey of the season at Phillips Station on Wednesday.

The manual survey recorded 63 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent, or SWE, of 17 inches, which is 93 percent of average for this location.

The SWE measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of DWR’s water supply forecast.

“The recent blast of winter weather was a welcome sight, but it was not enough to offset this winter’s dry start,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “While there is still a chance we will see additional storms in the coming weeks, the Department and other state agencies are preparing for the potential for a second consecutive year of dry conditions.”

Statewide snow survey measurements reflect those dry conditions. Measurements from DWR’s electronic snow survey stations indicate that statewide the snowpack’s SWE is 12.5 inches, or 70 percent of the Feb. 3 average, and 45 percent of the April 1 average.

April 1 is typically when California’s snowpack is the deepest and has the highest SWE.

Fall 2020 was extremely dry, especially in the Sierra Nevada, and follows last year’s below-average snow and precipitation.

Separately, in the Mendocino National Forest, DWR’s California Data Exchange Center also reported new snow levels.

Measurements taken on Tuesday at Anthony Peak showed a snow depth of 28 inches and water content of 9.5 percent, with density of 34 percent. That’s the first measure taken this year, and compared to February 2020, it’s up by 2 inches but density is down by 4 percent.

With only a couple months remaining in California’s traditional wet season, Californians should look at ways to reduce water use at home. Each individual act of conservation makes a difference over time.

Visit www.SaveOurWater.com to learn easy ways to save water every day.