The newest Sierra Nevada snowpack measurements have yielded disappointing results, indicating the state is headed for its third consecutive year of drought.
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The wettest months of the year in California are typically December, January and February, which normally produce over half of the state’s rainfall. However, this year’s third manual snowpack measurements at Phillips Station by the California Department of Water Resources revealed that last January and February were the driest consecutive January and February on record dating back 100 years in the Sierra Nevada.
The most recent survey recorded 35 inches of snow depth, and a snow water equivalent of 16 inches, which is just 68% of average for March and 66% of the April 1 average, according to Sean De Guzman, Manager of the Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit with the California Department of Water Resources.
April 1 is considered a key date as it’s typically when the snowpack is at its peak.
"Since it really hasn't snowed in practically two months with really the only snow coming later this week, we are well below normal conditions. Statewide we are at roughly 53% of average," Guzman added in a press conference on Tuesday.
The two extremely dry months to start the year wiped out an early season snow surplus in December.
With only a month left to build up the snowpack and barring a miracle March — which isn't foreseen — Guzman said California will end the year with below average rainfall and continue into a third year of ongoing drought.
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