""We've been having a warm snow drought this winter. There are a few ways to get to snow drought. What we're seeing this year is plenty of precipitation but warm temperatures, meaning rain instead of snow.""
""The melt rates that we've seen in March are really not seen in March. They're usually seen in April or May.""
The Sierra Nevada snow survey revealed no snow left to measure, marking the second lowest April 1 snowpack on record. California relies on this snowpack for a third of its water needs. Despite average precipitation this winter, record heat caused snow to melt rapidly. The statewide snowpack is currently at 20% of average, with significant regional variations. Unusually warm melt rates were observed in March, typically seen later in the season. Total precipitation since October 2025 is 19 inches, or 96% of normal.
Read at SFGATE
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