SACRAMENTO – (INT) – California’s highly variable water fortunes have turned brighter.

February’s generous storms dumped copious amounts of rain across the state causing flooding in many areas. The storms have been warmer than average.

In the Sierras, the year started with a snowpack that was only 28 percent of average. Now, it’s up to eighty percent.

It’s now the last month of a normal snow season. “March will be critical in determining if we finish above or below average,” said State Department of Water Resources Director Karla Nemeth.

By this spring, snow melt could be below average due to the unusually dry start to the water year. The snowpack still has not caught up from the dry conditions earlier this winter and vary significantly from region to region.

Story Date: March 14, 2024