logo
California Snow Totals Are Way Down This Year, After Drought Breaking Snowfall in 2017.
news image
Special Stories
9 Feb 2018 5:42 PM
But a picture of the snowpack last year, versus this year, really tells the story.  The image on the left shows heavy snowpack on the Sierra Nevada on January 28th, 2017.  The image on the right shows the lack of snowpack on the same area as of February 8th, 2018.  The average snow depth across the Sierra Nevada is currently just 3.4 inches.  Last year, at the same time, the average snow depth was 46.0 inches. So far this winter, most of the storm tracks have been starting in the northwest, and tracking to the southeast.  These tracks have kept the eastern U.S. colder and wetter than average.  However, much of the southwest has missed out on moisture from these storms, staying warmer and drier than usual.  A persistent ridge of high pressure off the California coast, has been blocking the storms from the Pacific. However, it looks like early next week, high pressure will be replaced by low pressure.  This will funnel in Pacific moisture, and bring some rain and snow chances for the southwest.       Water levels in California's reservoirs are still fairly high, so there are no immediate concerns.  However, a dry winter means less spring and summer snow-melt, which helps keep reservoir levels high during the dry summer months.  Hopefully low pressure systems will become more common for the remainder of winter, and the overall pattern will change from dry to wet.  California and much of the southwest would benefit greatly from more rain and more mountain snow. For WeatherNation:  Meteorologist Matt Monroe
All Weather News
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Deep South Overnight
Severe Weather Threat Continues in the Deep South Overnight
Already we have had multiple CONFIRMED tornad
1 Apr 2023 4:35 AM
Numerous Tornadoes in the Midwest - Threat Continues Overnight
Numerous Tornadoes in the Midwest - Threat Continues Overnight
A tornado watch continues overnight for parts
1 Apr 2023 4:30 AM
Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast
Saturday Features a Few Storms in the Southeast
The same front that has brought widespread st
1 Apr 2023 4:15 AM
Windy & Severe Storms Hit the Northeast Saturday
Windy & Severe Storms Hit the Northeast Saturday
A potent area of low pressure that produced n
1 Apr 2023 4:00 AM
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains
Blizzard Conditions, Ice and Snow for High Plains
The same system that is producing severe weat
1 Apr 2023 1:30 AM
High Fire Danger Today
High Fire Danger Today
Strong winds and dry air have combined once a
31 Mar 2023 10:00 PM
Looking Ahead: Yet Another Coast to Coast Storm First Week of April
Looking Ahead: Yet Another Coast to Coast Storm First Week of April
Yet another coast-to-coast storm is expected
31 Mar 2023 9:50 PM