Wednesday January 8, 2025
Carmichael Times —
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) conducted the first snow survey of the season Jan. 2 at Phillips Station.
The manual survey recorded 24 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent of 9 inches, which is 91 percent of average for this location. The snow water equivalent measures the amount of water contained in the snowpack and is a key component of the Department of Water Resources’ water supply forecast. Statewide, the snowpack is 108 percent of average for this date.
Recent years in California have been marked by extremely hot and dry conditions broken up by periods of intense rain and snow. So far, this water year has been no different. A record-breaking hot and dry summer continued well into the fall but a powerful atmospheric river in November broke several rainfall records in Northern California. A series of storms in late December provided another boost.
“While our snowpack looks good now, we have a long way until April when our water supply picture will be more complete,” said Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth. “Extreme shifts between dry and wet conditions are continuing this winter and if the past several years are any indication, anything could happen between now and April and we need to be prepared.”