The rainy season is past the halfway point, with a high likelihood the Sierra will once again see below average snow.
So far this year, California has had only two storm series. These were both unseasonably warm and delivered little snow.
California depends on less than 10 large systems each year to deliver snow to the Sierra. This snow then provides the state with water through the dry months.
Snow surveys are taken by the California Department of Water Resources in several places throughout the Sierra. The monthly measurements help determine the snowmelt runoff. Planners can then begin to prepare for potential reservoir water supplies during the dry season.
These manual surveys and real-time estimates are critical when preparing for drier times of the year. The data is helpful for residents, hydroelectric power companies, farmers and the recreation industry. In years of low snow, there is less available water and restrictions must be put in place. Effects can be felt from increased prices for food and utilities.
The next snow survey, March 3, will fall on the heels of new snow in the Sierra. The outlook is still bleak since the average water content for this time of year in the Sierra is 19 percent. More storms are needed through March to make any gains from the dry and warm weather pattern.
