Dry January means less water than normal in California snow
ABC News
The water contained in California's mountain snow is now at 92% of its historical average after a January without significant amounts of rain or snow
SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The water contained in California's mountain snow is now lower than the historical average after a January without significant rain or snow — a dramatic reversal from December that demonstrates the state's challenges in managing its water supply.
Snow totals updated Tuesday by the state Department of Water Resources show the amount of water in the Sierra Nevada mountain's snowpack is at 92% of what's normal for this date. In December, heavy rain and snow left the state with 160% of its average snow water content.
“Our climate is experiencing these volatile shifts form wet to dry year after year, and even month after month," said Sean de Guzman, manager of the department's snow surveys and water supply forecasting section.
The extremely wet December followed by a dry January was strikingly similar to previous months, which included a very wet October followed by a dry November.