The first snow survey for 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 measurements from 130 stations across the Sierra Nevada showed the snowpack had 10.7 inches of water equivalent, or 108% of the daily average. (28% last year).
A manual survey conducted on the Phillips Station property recorded snow depth of 24 inches and snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91% of the average for this location.
Above-average conditions across the state are believed to be partially due to a powerful atmospheric river that broke several rainfall records in Northern California in November. DWR said a series of storms in late December also provided tailwinds.
California Department of Water Resources personnel conduct the first media snow survey of the 2025 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada mountains on January 2, 2024. (Sarah Nevis/California Department of Water Resources)
“So far this season, we’ve been fortunate to have some solid snow-producing atmospheric river systems,” said Andy Rising, DWR’s Snow Research and Water Forecasting Unit Manager. “We had a very dry fall, and a few big storms in November and late December gave us a healthy amount of snowfall. But if we want to finish this year on target, More snow should accumulate at regular intervals during this time.”
DWR announced more good news in Thursday’s report, announcing that reservoir storage across the state is now 121% of average “thanks to two consecutive years of above-average snow conditions.”
The Sierra snowpack supplies approximately 30 percent of California’s water needs and is often referred to as the state’s “frozen reservoir” for its natural ability to store water.
DWR will conduct manual surveys at nearby Phillips Station on the first day of each month through April, with one additional measurement in May as needed. The next snow survey is tentatively scheduled for February 3rd.
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