Sierra Nevada snowpack just 68% of normal after whiplash winter, but water supplies are OK, experts say

"It's a weather-whiplash scenario. We are going from warm and dry to really intense snow storms, and right back to dry within a few days. It's been chaotic. We have a long way to go to get back to average, and not much time to do it. The likelihood of big storms coming through in the second half of March and April is not high."

"The statewide Sierra snowpack - which provides nearly one-third of California's water supply - stood Thursday at 68% of its historical average and falling, with at least more two weeks of dry weather forecast. On Thursday every major reservoir in California was above its historical average. The largest, Shasta, near Redding, was 82% full, or 115% of normal."

California's winter has experienced dramatic weather swings, beginning with drought conditions that prevented Lake Tahoe ski resorts from opening for Thanksgiving. Heavy snowfall around Christmas brought conditions to historic averages, followed by five weeks of warm, dry weather. Mid-February blizzards then deposited 9 feet of snow in five days, creating avalanche hazards. The Sierra snowpack, which supplies nearly one-third of California's water, currently stands at 68% of historical average with forecasts predicting two more weeks of dry weather. Scientists indicate low probability of reaching normal snowpack levels by April 1. However, three consecutive wet winters preceding this season left major reservoirs across California above historical averages and near full capacity, providing a buffer against current dry conditions.

Read at The Mercury News