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With more than two months left in the wet season, snowfall in the Central Sierra Nevada mountains has already reached 100% of its yearly average with an additional three inches of snow since last weekend.
The current season total for this water year, which lasts from Oct. 1 to Sept. 31, is 360 inches, or the equivalent of about 30 feet. The average snowfall in the Central Sierra Nevada mountains is about 360 inches of snow each season.
The snow water equivalent is currently about 210% of its normal levels for Jan. 30 and 129% of the April 1 average.
April 1 is when snowpack is typically at its highest, so measurements are compared to the April 1 average, in addition to averages for specific dates along the way.
Snow in the Sierra Nevada mountains provides about a third of the state’s overall water supply. An increase in premature snow melt or minimal precipitation in the coming months would lessen the amount of water on the ground that’s available for use.
Carolyn McArdle talked about it on the air. Listen below...