• January’s dry conditions dropped statewide snowpack to 65% of average.
• Reservoirs remain near or above average due to effective management.
• Next snow survey scheduled for February 28.

February 6, 2025 – California’s snowpack has fallen below average after an unusually dry January, according to the Department of Water Resources (DWR). The second snow survey of the season at Phillips Station recorded 22.5 inches of snow depth, with a snow water equivalent of 8 inches—just 46% of the average for this location. Statewide, the snowpack stands at 65% of average for January 31.

A Shifting Snowpack.

At the start of the year, California’s snowpack was above average thanks to storms in November and December. However, January’s lack of precipitation caused significant declines. The Northern Sierra, which was initially ahead, has now dropped to near average, while the Central Sierra is at 58% of average, and the Southern Sierra has fallen below 50%.

DWR Director Karla Nemeth highlighted the rapid shift in conditions. “Despite a good start to the snowpack in the Northern Sierra in November and December, we can look back as recently as 2013 and 2021 to show how quickly conditions can change for the drier,” she said.

Reservoirs Remain Strong.

Despite the lower snowpack, California’s reservoirs are in good shape. Lake Oroville, the state’s largest reservoir, is at 126% of its average level for this time of year, while San Luis Reservoir sits at 101%. Reservoirs in Southern California are also near or above historical averages.

Monitoring and Forecasts.

DWR’s snowpack data informs water supply planning and runoff forecasts for the coming months. While February may bring more storms, recent years have seen strong early snowpacks fade into dry conditions.

DWR has deployed over 30 Watershed Protection Specialists to assist with storm preparedness in Southern California, where precipitation remains well below average. They are working with emergency agencies to prevent debris flows in burn-scarred areas.

Snow surveys play a critical role in managing California’s water resources. DWR will conduct its next survey at Phillips Station on February 28.

For real-time water updates, visit cww.water.ca.gov.

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Image:

DWR staff conducting the second snow survey at Phillips Station on January 31, 2025.  Image via California DWR’s news release.

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