EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — The second snow survey of the season took place Tuesday and measured significant snow at Phillips station, but the numbers also show how far behind we are.
The California Department of Water Resources measured 48.5 inches of snow depth, equaling about 19 inches of snow water content.
Comparing the first snow survey at the end of December to the second survey, the percentage is nearly cut in half. Dec. 30 snow came to about 202% of the average for the water year. Due to nearly no significant precipitation in January, that percentage was nearly cut in half. The second survey resulted in 109% of average.
Statewide, it's the first time this water year the snow survey has been below average at 92%.
It's been a tale of two seasons in northern California. While we would like to think we have true spring and fall seasons, they are often overlooked by the record-setting temperatures much too early in the season along with early wildfires.
Climate change is adding to the frustrating cycle of winter storms and summer droughts.
Coming off the snowiest December on record for the Central Sierra, comes the second driest January in Sacramento. Only five-hundredths of an inch of rain were recorded in Sacramento. The mountains barely saw any measurable snow through January.
“Our climate is experiencing these volatile shifts from wet to dry year after year and even month after month, which make water resources and planning and water management, so challenging in a changing climate,” said Sean de Guzman, snow survey manager with the Department of Water Resources.
Not only has it been dry, but January has been warm. Sacramento recorded temperatures a half degree above normal for the month.
“That one dry month of January, basically wiped out whatever head start we had as we head towards the end of winter," de Guzman said,
Now the winds are playing a role in the dry conditions. Gusty winds Tuesday and Wednesday are picking up to about 40-50 mph in the valley. Sierra gusts are reaching speeds as high as 70 mph. Humidity on Tuesday was observed around 19-25% in the valley.
Thanks to big early-season storms, red flag warnings for fire danger have not been issued by the National Weather Service. If the dry weather persists, we may see earlier fire concerns.
"We still have about two more months to build up our snowpack. But we all need to be prepared for our third consecutive dry year," said de Guzman.
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