The first snow survey of 2025 shows California’s snowpack is nearly 110% of average for this time of year.
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Thursday that electronic readings from 130 stations throughout the Sierra Nevada showed the snowpack’s water equivalent was 10.7 inches, or 108% of average for the date, compared to 28% last year.
A manual survey conducted at the Philips Station site recorded a snow depth of 24 inches and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which was 91% of the location’s average.
The state’s overall above-average conditions are partially credited to a powerful atmospheric river that broke several rainfall records in Northern California in November. A series of late December storms also provided a boost, the DWR stated.
“We are fortunate to have had several solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems so far this season,” said DWR’s Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit Manager Andy Reising. “The fall was extremely dry, so our healthy snow totals are thanks to a handful of big storm systems in November and late December. But to finish the year where we need to be, we will still need additional snow building at a regular pace throughout the winter.”
The DWR released more good news in Thursday’s report announcing that reservoirs statewide are currently 121% of average “thanks to two consecutive years of above-average snowpack conditions.”
The Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of California’s water needs and is often referred to as the state’s “frozen reservoir” due to its natural ability to store water.
The DWR will conduct manual surveys at Phillips Station near the first of each month through April, with one additional measurement in May if needed. The next snow survey is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 3.
The first snow survey of 2025 shows California’s snowpack is nearly 110% of average for this time of year. The Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced Thursday that electronic readings from 130 stations throughout the Sierra Nevada showed the snowpack’s water equivalent was 10.7 inches, or 108% of average for the date, compared to 28% […]
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