"We've been in this position before, and we've caught up in the past."
"We don't want to be going backwards at this time of year; we need more storms."
"The good news for California, at least, is that the Southern and Central Sierra is doing, if not great, doing fine snowpack-wise right now, at least at higher elevations."
"From the reservoir perspective, we'll be OK, but from a hydroclimate whiplash perspective, it's quite possible that California could enter once again another wet-to-dry cycle as we go from spring into summer."
State snow surveys found that recent atmospheric rivers in late December and early January delivered more rain than snow, particularly at lower elevations, and warmer temperatures reduced snow accumulation. Higher elevations in the Southern and Central Sierra currently retain relatively healthy snowpack, but overall statewide snowpack remains vulnerable. Reservoir storage is roughly 70% of average, providing some buffer. A very wet March would be required to substantially restore the snowpack; otherwise a developing snow drought could strain water supplies and elevate wildfire risk while creating another rapid wet-to-dry hydroclimate cycle into summer.
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