""This particular year is as clear an indication of the influence of climate change as anything we've seen," said Peter Gleick, a leading water scientist and co-founder of the Pacific Institute. "Climate change is influencing California's water system quickly and severely.""
"The warmth and premature melt mean the state's forests will dry out a month or more earlier than usual, Gleick said, which increases the risk of wildfires."
""It also means rivers and streams are going to dry out sooner, and that has bad implications for natural ecosystems and our fisheries," he said."
California's Sierra Nevada snowpack has melted significantly, measuring only 18% of average due to an unusually warm month. This early melt is linked to global warming, which is causing earlier runoff in the mountains. The snowpack peaked on February 25 at 73% of average, and the warm temperatures have led to concerns about increased wildfire risks and drying rivers. Despite this, major reservoirs remain nearly full, ensuring water availability for cities and farms.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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