California’s water supply boosted to 100% for the first time since 2006
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced the first full water supply allocation since 2006, benefiting 27 million residents across California after a record winter.
After record snowfall, California braces for melting snowpack and flood risks
After three months of heavy rain and record snow, California is now facing the risk of floods due to melting snowpacks, as temperatures rise in the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada regions.
Massive snowfall results in California’s largest snowpack on record
17 atmospheric rivers and several non-atmospheric-river storms since December 2022 pushed California’s snowpack to its largest level in recorded history, surpassing the previous record set in 1982-1983. In addition, the state’s drought conditions have improved significantly since the start of the water year, with severe to exceptional drought conditions now covering only 6.99% of the area, down from 93% just one year ago.
From drought to deluge: California experiences second snowiest winter on record
This winter season in California has been one for the books, with snowpack statewide doubling the normal levels and much above what’s typical by April 1st, historically the deepest snow depth of the season. Despite widespread flooding and mandatory evacuations around rivers and creeks, the southern Sierra region, particularly Soda Springs, has seen an impressive amount of snowfall, marking the second snowiest winter on record with over 17 m (56 feet) of snow. While still shy of the record set during the 1951-52 season, with more snow predicted, it’s expected to come close in the next couple of weeks.
Historic Sierra Nevada snowpack brings drought relief, flooding concerns to California
The Sierra Nevada snowpack, a major source of water supply in California, has reached its highest level since 1995, raising hopes for an end to the drought but also concerns about the possibility of flooding due to rapid melting.
Sierra Snow Lab records snowiest December on record, California
A prolonged period of heavy snow falling over the Sierra Nevada mountain range since December 10 dramatically increased its snowpack and by December 27 piled up to 455 cm (193.7 inches) at the UC Berkeley's Central Sierra Snow Laboratory. At the University of…
Sierra snowpack jumps from 19 to 98 percent in just 7 days, U.S.
Snowpack over the Sierra has increased dramatically in just 7 days after a series of storms affected the region last week. The sudden change gives California its wettest start to the Water Year (October 1 – September 30) in more than 40 years. A new series of…
Slow-moving winter storm brings significant snowfall to drought-hit California, up to 1.8 m (6 feet) of snow possible, U.S.
A large and slow-moving late-season winter storm started dumping significant heavy snow on California's Sierra Nevada on Saturday, March 14, 2020. Up to 1.8 m (6 feet) of snow is expected in the following days, replenishing the mountains following the…
Sierra Nevada snowpack at 162 percent of normal, California water supply dream
"With full reservoirs and a dense snowpack, this year is practically a California water supply dream," California DWR Director Karla Nemeth said April 2, 2019, after latest Sierra snowpack measurement. California state officials made their monthly snowpack…
Sierra Nevada snowpack at record level, doubles in February, California
Four days of heavy snowfall came to an end on February 28, 2019, leaving statewide snowpack at 153% of normal. Snow depths and water content equaled California's all-time record level for February. While most of the state's reservoirs are at or above 100% of…