California Snowpack Drops to 65% of Average Following Dry January

State water officials report below-average snowpack levels but anticipate potential improvement from upcoming storms.

California's Sierra Nevada snowpack, which provides about one-third of the state's water supply, has dropped to 65% of the seasonal average after an unusually dry January.
State water officials conducted their second snow survey of the season, finding significant regional disparities, with southern Sierra snowpack at just 47% of average and northern Sierra at 95%.
Reservoir levels remain above historical averages due to prior wet years, with Lake Oroville at 126% of average and Lake Shasta at 118%.
Two atmospheric river storms are forecasted to bring rain and snow in the coming days, though their warmer nature raises uncertainty about how much additional snow will accumulate.
Experts caution that sustained dry periods during California's wet season could hinder recovery, with water managers monitoring conditions closely to manage supplies.