Weather update: Stormy pattern continues this week
Posted by: Maven on March 26, 2012 at 7:28 am
More wet weather headed our way, says the National Weather Service in Sacramento:
“Northern California will see a brief break in the weather today before a series of stronger weather systems brings more substantial precipitation to the area beginning late tonight/early Tuesday and lasting into the weekend. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for the approaching system that will move inland late tonight/early Tuesday. “
More on the weather forecast for the Sacramento Valley from the Sacramento Bee here: Two more storms forecast to hit Sacramento Valley
Weather update: Stormy weather this weekend
Posted by: Maven on March 24, 2012 at 7:34 am
From the National Weather Service, Sacramento:
“A large low pressure system will bring valley rain…mountain snow and gusty mountain winds to interior northern California this weekend. As the low moves inland on Sunday there will be a chance of thunderstorms with small hail. Snow levels could lower to 2000 to 2500 feet over the Shasta County mountains and around 4000 feet over the Sierra Nevada. A Winter Weather Advisory for Snow has been posted for the mountains for much of the weekend. “
More on the forecast from the Western Weather Blog:
“My thoughts on the weekend storm from yesterdays posting has not changed a lot, but there are some minor changes. That storm is now west of Oregon And moving south. By the way, its nice to see GOES 15 back up and running this afternoon.
Here are the changes from yesterday.
-A little slower arrival time of the rain for interior central and all of southern California. Models are pretty close now. Looks like rain arrives in interior Central California in the first few hours after sunrise Sunday and the same goes for places like Ventura County. Rain should arrive in the morning across Los Angeles County and spread east and south arriving no later than early afternoon southern Orange County to San Diego County and the Inland Empire. … “
Continue reading from the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Weather update: Wet weekend ahead; Is it a start of a stormier pattern?
Posted by: Maven on March 23, 2012 at 9:01 am
From the National Weather Service in Sacramento:
“A closed low pressure system offshore will move southward today along the west coast. Wrap around moisture from this storm will largely impact the Coastal counties, and Coastal and Northern Mountains into portions of the valley. There is still a low confidence concern for thunderstorm activity on Sunday but models have been suggesting that the colder, more unstable airmass will stay south of our region and move into the San Joaquin Valley instead. Snow accumulations will be highest (4-10 inches) above 5000 feet but lighter accumulations will reach down to 3000 ft along Coastal range and down to 4000 feet along Sierra. “
More on the forecast from the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog:
“An interesting last 24 hours for weather forecasters in the West. GOES-15, the western satellite that provides all sorts of data from satellite pictures to cloud and sounding data, failed late yesterday and stopped transmitting. It took until later Thursday for the problem to be isolated, but the satellite will not be back into commission any earlier than later Friday morning. This is important because it means the weather has a blind spot in satellite data and computer models will not have as much data in them until the satellite is back up and running. With another storm set to come inland across California this weekend, there is just a little less confidence than normal at this point on timing and precipitation amounts.
It’s not a question as to whether it rain and snows, it is now a question about when the important rain develops and moves away and how much precipitation there is. … “
Continue reading from the Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Could we be returning to a stormier pattern Sierra 2 the Sea takes a look at the long range forecasts, and also reports that despite the recent rains, the Friant Kern Canal may need to run backwards this year to bring in banked water from Kern County:
“In the Friant Water service area that irrigates a million acres on the SJ Valley's east side, the blustery weather was “a saving storm\” after the Bureau of Reclamation announced earlier in the month they could expect to deliver only 35% of Class 1 water to districts and communities they serve.We were worried after the declaration that the Bureau could not even meet that schedule but now we are breathing a little easier but hoping for a couple more good storms\” says Friant general manager Ron Jacobsma.
“We are lucky we have 140,000 acre/ft in Millerton reservoir as carryover\” says Jacobsma.Our water districts will depend more on banked water from last year when it was wet to be pumped out and even the possibility of running the Friant Kern Canal backwards. … “
Continue reading from Sierra 2 the Sea by clicking here.
State, local agencies taking cautious stance on water supply outlook
Posted by: Maven on March 22, 2012 at 9:01 amFrom ACWA’s Water News:
“While recent spring storms have provided much-needed precipitation for California's thirsty farms and cities, many local water agencies are taking a cautious water supply outlook for 2012.
As of March 1, 18 more inches of rain in the Northern Sierra was needed to reach normal levels, according to the Department of Water Resources' drought website. The current storm system has brought six inches so far, with more predicted. However, the Southern Sierra has only seen one inch since the first of the month. … “
Continue reading from ACWA’s Water News by clicking here.
Sharing a storm’s wealth: Last weekend’s onslaught of rain and snow came at perfect time for outdoor enthusiasts
Posted by: Maven on March 22, 2012 at 8:58 amFrom the Fresno Bee:
“Last weekend’s storm that dumped up to 6 feet of snow in the Sierra Nevada east of Fresno isn’t just great news for skiers and snowboarders.
It’s also a terrific development for anglers, boaters, wildlife watchers and anyone who likes to spend quality time outdoors.
Just last week, the severe lack of rainfall in December, most of January and February gave rise to concerns it would be a lousy year for camping, fishing and boating throughout Central California.
Now there should be ample water for recreation at least through early summer, even though we’re still only at about half our average rainfall. (Let’s not forget that reservoirs were in pretty good shape last fall after two big snow years.) … “
Continue reading from the Fresno Bee by clicking here.
Spring skiing on tap, but agencies still short of water
Posted by: Maven on March 21, 2012 at 8:47 amFrom the Modesto Bee:
“Skiers and snowboarders can expect some early spring action at Dodge Ridge, before the snow runs off to farms and cities that could use the water.
“We have every intention of being open through spring break,” resort spokesman Jeff Hauff said Tuesday. By that he meant the week of April 8, which is Easter Sunday.
The recent spate of storms was welcome at the Pinecrest-area resort, which did not open until Jan. 25. The season before, it was open from late November through late April. … “
Continue reading from the Modesto Bee by clicking here.
Late storms relieve state’s water worries, for now
Posted by: Maven on March 20, 2012 at 8:26 am
The storm totals from last week were impressive. Here’s a graph from the National Weather Service showing estimated precipitation amounts last week (Tuesday the 13th thru Monday morning). Click on the graph to see it enlarged. And now this from the North County Times:
“The past week’s late-winter storms have washed away worries about a possible drought this year, water officials say.
The year ending June 30 is still shaping up as a dry one, so continued water conservation is needed, state and local officials say. But enough water is in storage or available to import that no mandatory restrictions are being considered.
Water content in California’s snowpack jumped from 32 percent of normal to 46 percent of normal from March 12 to March 19, said David Rizzardo, chief of snow surveys for the state Department of Water Resources. The water year began July 1 and ends June 30.
“Last week was definitely the best storm we’ve had this winter,” Rizzardo said Monday. “It’s the kind of winter storm we’d like to get a few of a year.” … “
Continue reading from the North County Times by clicking here.
For more weather stories:
- Dry winter keeps fears of drought alive, Weekend storm helped but it’s not enough, from the Merced Sun-Star
- Rain puts dent in water deficit – more on the way, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- MID: recent rain not enough to pull region out of a dry year, from the Merced Sun-Star
Rain puts dent in water deficit – more on the way
Posted by: Maven on March 19, 2012 at 8:21 amFrom the San Francisco Chronicle:
“California’s not going to hit its normal rainfall totals this year, but last week’s storms made a good dent in the water deficit and more rain is expected over the next several days, forecasters said Sunday.
Tahoe-area ski resorts got another 15 inches of snow overnight Saturday, making a weekend total of 55 inches in some parts of the Sierra, and it was still snowing Sunday afternoon. Both the mountains and the Bay Area should get a day or two of reprieve before the next storm drifts in on Tuesday. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Sunday’s top of the scroll: Reservoir levels soar as the Sierra gets more than 3 feet of fresh snow; Rain pushes Bay Area to about 50% of normal
Posted by: Maven on March 18, 2012 at 7:50 am
This chart from the National Weather Service shows the impressive gains in reservoir storage from the recent storms. More on the boost to the snowpack from the San Francisco Chronicle:
“Skiers and snowboarders in the Sierra woke up on Saturday to fresh snow after the region experienced a powerful storm.
Forecasters say even mountain peaks in the San Francisco Bay area could see some of the white stuff as temperatures drop this weekend.
Boreal Mountain Resort atop Donner Summit in Truckee reported between 36 and 40 inches of snow during the 24-hour period that ended at 6 a.m. Saturday. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Recent rains are bringing up rain totals around the Bay Area:
“The recent onslaught of storms has pushed the Bay Area up to about 50 percent of normal rainfall, the National Weather Service said Saturday. And more wet weather is on the way.
As of midday Saturday, 10 inches of rain had fallen since July 1. While that might not sound so great, the region sat at less than 40 percent of normal just a few days ago. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Weather update: Stormy and wet weather to continue through the weekend
Posted by: Maven on March 16, 2012 at 5:51 am
From the National Weather Service:
“The storm track will remain over Interior Northern California through the weekend. Expect more rain and snow today with snow levels above 7000 feet this morning, then lowering. Heavier precipitation returns later today and tonight with lowering snow levels. A colder and more unstable airmass arrives Saturday bringing snow levels into the foothill elevations along with a chance of thunderstorms. Residents should continue to be prepared for wintery weather through the weekend. “
The Western Weather Blog has more details on the winter weekend weather forecast:
“The stormy weather pattern in the Northwest this week will shift south dramatically as we head from Friday through the weekend. While this will not be a blockbuster storm as we have seen in the past, it will be one of the bigger storms for this year. Here are the highlights.
Friday-Rain and snow in the north will increase and move south to the Bay Area to Stockton to Tahoe line during the day. Snow levels are high, mainly 7,000 to 7,500 feet.
Friday Night-Rain and snow spread south through Central California with a cold front moving from northern California to the Bay Area to south of Sacramento line by late at night. Rain should develop late at night down to Pt. Conception to Southern San Joaquin Valley. Ahead of the front a period of moderate to heavy precipitation is likely and behind the front rain taper to a few showers. Snow levels fall behind the cold front falling dramatically by Saturday morning to 3,00 to 4,000 feet. Strong and gusty winds precede the font with the strongest winds in the mountains of 25 to 50 mph with ridge top speeds in excess of 75 mph. A little rain could break out well ahead of the main rain area around the Los Angeles Basin late Friday night. … “
Continue reading from the Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Weather update: Stormy pattern continues …
Posted by: Maven on March 15, 2012 at 5:34 am
From the National Weather Service, this forecast:
“The storm track will remain over Interior Northern California through the weekend. Expect more rain and snow today with snow levels above 7000 feet. Heavier precipitation returns later tonight and Friday with snow levels beginning to lower. Another system arrives Saturday will bring snow levels into the foothill elevations and a chance of thunderstorms. Residents should continue to be prepared for wintery weather through the weekend. “
In more weather news, the Western Weather Blog takes a look at snowpack and reservoir conditions, the AP takes a look at the effects of the storm, and the Contra Costa Times says clear skies won’t appear in the Bay Area until Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Also, Spreck Rosekrans is hoping for a March miracle while the Inkstain blog takes a look at the “atmospheric river” system pounding Northern California and KQED’s Climate Watch says this winter could be the fourth warmest on record.
Weather update: Multiple storms this week
Posted by: Maven on March 14, 2012 at 5:06 am
Our week of winter continues with the latest forecast from the National Weather Service:
“Multiple strong storm systems will impact the area this week. The current storm will continue through Wednesday. It will bring from 1 to 3 inches of rain and wind gusts up to 40 mph in the Valley. Heavy snow of 2 to 4 feet for elevations above 6500 feet by Wednesday night. Strong winds will also impact the mountain areas. The second storm, Thursday will be just as wet but warmer. Snow levels will rise to around 7000 feet on Thursday. A colder system will move through the area late Friday and Saturday with snow levels falling to 2000 feet. Significant snow is expected in the mountains once again.”
From the Modesto Bee:
“Tuesday brought the first of a series of storms that might change the season totals from dismal to merely lousy.
The Modesto Irrigation District recorded 0.19 inches of rain at its downtown headquarters as of 10 p.m.
That brought the total for the 2011-12 weather year to 4.64 inches, a little less than half the historical average.
The storm added to a central Sierra Nevada snowpack that had stood at 32 percent of average Monday, the California Department of Water Resources reported. … “
Continue reading from the Modesto Bee by clicking here.
Hey, what happened to winter? What California’s and the nation’s wimpy winter portends for spring
Posted by: Maven on March 13, 2012 at 6:31 amFrom the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog:
“Contrary to last year’s record high snowfalls, California’s weather this year was marked by significant drought conditions that could having lasting implications on the Golden State’s water supply.
Unlike some states, California’s water year, the 12-month period over which hydrologic records are kept, is measured from July 1 to June 30. As of Feb. 1, 2012, the precipitation had only hit 60 percent of the average.
Totals are drastically low in snowpack water content as well, currently resting at about 35 percent of the average for this time of year. Last year on this date, snowpack average was 135 percent. … “
Continue reading from Accu-Weather by clicking here.
It wasn’t just California that saw a shortage of snow; the wimpy winter weather went nationwide, reports the Christian Science Monitor:
“The winter of 2011-12 might well earn the title of “the winter that wasn’t” in many parts of the United States.
The season has entered the books as the fourth warmest on record for the Lower 48, according to an analysis by the National Climatic Data Center in Asheville, N.C.
In January, for instance, daily high-temperature records were broken across the northern Plains. Minot, N.D., posted a 61 degree F. high on Jan. 5, eclipsing the previous record of 58 degrees set in 1906.
Despite several powerful snowstorms that crossed the continent during the season, the extent of the country blanketed with snow was the third smallest since satellites began keeping track 46 years ago. The amount of rain was also below normal. … “
Continue reading from the Christian Science Monitor by clicking here.
Weather update: Week could be the wettest of the season
Posted by: Maven on March 12, 2012 at 7:54 am
From the National Weather Service in Sacramento:
“Significant winter storm will move into interior California by Tonight and continue through Wednesday. **Winds combined with high snowfall rates will significantly reduce visibilities and create hazardous driving conditions. If you must travel, keep up-to-date on latest weather conditions.** This system will produce significant snowfall amounts at higher elevations. Snowfall levels will drop to as low as 3500ft for the Sierra Nevada mountains. Windy conditions are expected for the valley, with gusts as high as 50mph possible. Winds for the mountains are expected to be 25-45mph, with gusts as high as 75mph at ridge tops. “
It could be the wettest week of the season, reports the Sacramento Bee:
“Today will be pleasant but tonight forecasters expect winds to rattle windows as a wet storm hits Northern California.
The first punch of moisture is expected to hit late tonight, along with winds blowing from 25 to 35 mph, gusting to 50 mph in the Central Valley. The National Weather Service is warning that this week could be the wettest period of the 2011-2012 winter season. … “
Continue reading from the Sacramento Bee by clicking here.
MORE WEATHER STORIES:
- No ‘March miracle,’ but rain is in forecast, from the Fresno Bee
- A wet end to winter expected this week in Bay Area, from the Contra Costa Times
- Heavy rain should improve outdoors’ outlook, from outdoors columnist Tom Steinstra at the San Francisco Chronicle
Weather update: La Niña on its way out, but so is winter; however, wet period slated for Northern California
Posted by: Maven on March 10, 2012 at 7:25 amFrom KQED’s Climate Watch:
“This has been a historically dry winter, dry enough that it's likely to land a spot as one of the top ten driest since the gold rush. And even though La Niña is waning, that probably won't make much of a difference, because there's a delay between when ocean surface temperatures change, and when that change actually has an affect on our weather. … “
Continue reading from KQED’s Climate Watch by clicking here.
However, some good news in the forecast, from Sierra 2 the Sea:
“The 10 day weather forecast for Redding California,home of Shasta Dam, looks decidedly different this week than it has for most of this bone dry water year.
Shasta Dam stands at the head of the all important Central Valley Project plumbing system and the Sacramento River capturing and delivering water to much of the rest of the state. If there is any.
That's why a look at the dry pattern we've seen this year has been so disappointing. In February the record shows in the past 30 days ,in a month that typically the wettest time of the year,Shasta Dam's rain gauge shows only 6 days when any rain fell and no day higher than about half an inch. Today, the dam has seen only 14 inches of rain to date this season compared to 40 inches this time last year. … “
Continue reading from Sierra 2 the Sea by clicking here.
Weather update: Stormier weather pattern next week
Posted by: Maven on March 9, 2012 at 7:48 amFrom Accu-Weather:
“As some of my readers have remarked, the weather pattern next week does indeed look stormier. But it may not be stormier everywhere.
The current ridge along the West Coast breaks down over the weekend leading to a broad, cold trough in the eastern Gulf of Alaska with storms coming under that trough toward the West Coast. Several storms seems likely Sunday through next week in the Pacific Northwest with the southern end of these storms at least making it into parts of California.
The first one is a weak storm that brings a little rain to western Washington and Oregon Saturday and could drag a couple showers into far northwest California. The second, stronger storm moves into the Northwest Saturday night and Sunday with some rain making it as far south as the North Bay region and parts of the Sacramento Valley. Storm number three comes into the Northwest Monday and could bring strong winds to coastal areas along with good lower elevation rain and Cascade snow. … “
More from the Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Kings County declares drought emergency
Posted by: Maven on March 7, 2012 at 9:14 pmFrom the Hanford Sentinel:
“Kings County supervisors on Tuesday declared a drought emergency, bringing back an issue that dominated the agenda from 2007 to 2011.
For nearly four years, the agriculture-dependent county had an ongoing emergency because of little rain, scant Sierra snowfall and regulatory restrictions on the amount of water coming from the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. The declaration was finally lifted last April after two consecutive wet winters. … “
Continue reading from the Hanford Sentinel by clicking here.
Gorgeous winter carries a price tag come summertime, says Record Searchlight editorial
Posted by: Maven on March 7, 2012 at 7:49 amFrom the Record Searchlight:
“Aside from those who suffer the misfortune of seeing their potted plants dry up and die in February, not many north state residents will complain about a nearly cloudless winter like the one we’ve enjoyed.
Indeed, winter droughts supply some of the region’s finest weather with sunshine in tolerable, balmy doses instead of the skin-searing, 110-plus-degree afternoons for which Redding is infamous.
Well, enjoy the fine afternoons while they last (and a few days’ worth of rain is forecast next week), but be prepared to pay for them. Literally. … “
Continue reading from the Record Searchlight by clicking here.
Arizona just gets drier this year
Posted by: Maven on March 7, 2012 at 7:06 amFrom Waterblogged:
“The last time measurable rain fell in the official Phoenix gauge was Dec. 18 and that was just over a tenth of an inch, so yes, it’s dry here, which is why wind of any real strength builds walls of dust and why a controlled burn on the Valley’s western edge exploded into a brush fire Tuesday.
But rain in Phoenix contributes little to the water supply or to rivers, which don’t flow much through the urban areas anyway. Snow is what we look at for all that, or it’s what we would look at if there were much still there. … “
Continue reading from Waterblogged by clicking here.
Weather update: Cold storm brings huge changes
Posted by: Maven on March 6, 2012 at 8:12 amFrom the Accu-Weather Western Weather blog:
“An upper level trough off the Northwest Coast today digs sharply south through California Tuesday. This is going to bring about huge changes to California Tuesday and have far reaching effects farther east as well. There is a lot to talk about so I am going to give the highlights in bullet fashion.
First let me describe how big of changes this will be. Temperatures yesterday in southern California were in the middle 80s to near 90. Tuesday high temperatures will be a good 30 degrees colder. It was well into the 80s today in the Arizona deserts, Wednesday will only be in the low 60s. Snow will probably fall in spots in the Upper Deserts of Southern California Tuesday evening into the night and in maybe in portions of the Vegas valley late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. Mid-Afternoon temperatures today are in the lower 70s in Vegas. … “
Continue reading from the Accu-Weather Western Weather blog by clicking here.
California snow exceeds forecast, but too little too late
Posted by: Maven on March 2, 2012 at 8:17 amFrom the Associated Press:
“It’s finally looking like ski season in California’s Sierra Nevada, as a late winter storm exceeded forecasts by dumping at least 6 feet of snow at the highest elevations.
“It was one of the more significant storms of the winter season,” said Jim Mathews, a National Weather Service meteorologist. “We’ve had very few storms this season that have created so much snow.”
A winter storm warning for the region was lifted Thursday afternoon, with light snow showers in the forecast for the Sierra late Thursday and early Friday, before the storm moved out of the area, Mathews said. … “
Continue reading from the Associated Press by clicking here.
Worries mount for Sierra, water supply: Will rainy March ease what has been a historically dry winter?
Posted by: Maven on March 1, 2012 at 5:22 amFrom the Stockton Record:
“Even an extra day of February – and a rainy one, at that – could not salvage another dismally dry month in Stockton and the rest of California.
Stockton remains in danger of having its driest winter since 1975-76, depending on what March and April have to offer.
“It ain’t over yet,” said walnut farmer Tom McGurk, whose orchards may not have the soil moisture they need this summer if Mother Nature does not deliver. … “
Continue reading from the Stockton Record by clicking here.
Mercury News editorial: “And it never failed that during the dry years the people forgot about the rich years, and during the wet years they lost all memory of the dry years.”
Posted by: Maven on March 1, 2012 at 5:21 amFrom the Silicon Valley Mercury News, this editorial:
“Last year’s wet winter means our aquifers and reservoirs are still brimming, despite the lack of a snowpack this year in the Sierra. As a result, water officials say that Silicon Valley shouldn’t expect any water restrictions this summer.
However, it would be a mistake to view our good fortune as license to use water as if we were having a storm-filled El Niño year. It’s a shame that public officials and agencies don’t get that message across better.
California droughts don’t occur in precise timetables or with equal severity. The only thing we know for certain during a drought is that we don’t know when it will end. That’s always been true, but the effects of climate change make it even harder to predict what lies ahead. Conserving as much stockpiled water as possible this summer would be the prudent and practical thing to do. Reducing use by 20 percent is a good target. … “
Continue reading this editorial from the Silicon Valley Mercury News by clicking here.
Third California snow results will mean lower deliveries of water to State Water Project
Posted by: Maven on February 29, 2012 at 11:04 amFrom the Chico Enterprise-Record:
“Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that California’s mountain snowpack holds far less water than normal for this time of year.
Manual and electronic readings show that statewide, snowpack water content is only 30 percent of historic readings for the date. This is a mere 26 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before it begins to melt with rising spring temperatures.
DWR Director Mark Cowin noted there is still water in reservoirs from last year, but more would obviously be preferred. … “
Continue reading from the Chico Enterprise-Record by clicking here.
MORE COVERAGE:
- Sierra snowpack at 30 percent of normal, but reservoirs are still pretty full, from the Silicon Valley Mercury News
- Sierra snowfall way below average, but hope remains, from the San Francisco Chronicle
- More bad news from CA’s Sierra snowpack survey, from the San Francisco Chronicle
From the Department of Water Resources, posed at YouTube:
This just in … DWR’s third snow survey of 2012 shows continuing dry conditions; Snowpack at 30% of historic average
Posted by: Maven on February 28, 2012 at 1:45 pm
From the Department of Water Resources:
Department of Water Resources snow surveyors today confirmed that California's mountain snowpack holds far less water than normal for this time of year.
Manual and electronic readings show that statewide, snowpack water content is only 30 percent of historic readings for the date. That is a mere 26 percent of the average April 1 measurement, when the snowpack is normally at its peak before it begins to melt with rising spring temperatures.
\”The weather news so far this winter has not been good,\” said DWR Director Mark Cowin. “We still have good reservoir storage due to last winter's storms, but we would like to see more rain and snow this season.
Due to persistent dry weather, DWR on February 22 dropped by 10 percent its estimate of the amount of water the State Water Project (SWP) will deliver this calendar year. The delivery estimate : or allocation : was reduced from 60 percent to 50 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet of water requested by the 29 public agencies that supply more than 25 million Californians and nearly a million acres of irrigated farmland. An acre-foot is 325,851 gallons, enough to cover one acre to a depth of one foot.
The 50 percent allocation is not severely low, and could be increased if late season storms significantly improve hydrologic conditions.
One area visited by DWR snow surveyors today was off Highway 50 near Echo Summit, approximately 90 miles east of Sacramento. Here are the snow depth and water content readings from four sites in that area:
Location Elevation
Snow Depth
Water Content
% of Long Term Average
Alpha 7,600 feet
19.4 inches
4.9 inches
18
Phillips Station 6,800 feet
17.7 inches
3.9 inches
16
Lyons Creek 6,700 feet
30.5 inches
8.3 inches
33
Tamarack Flat 6,500 feet
24 inches
6 inches
26
Electronic readings from remote sensors indicate that snowpack water content in the northern mountain ranges is 31 percent of normal for the date and 28 percent of the April 1 seasonal average. Electronic readings for the central Sierra show 26 percent of normal for the date and 23 percent of the April 1 average. The numbers for the southern Sierra are 33 percent of average for the date and 28 percent of the April 1 average.
Statewide, the snowpack water content is 30 percent of normal for the date and 26 percent of the April 1 average.
DWR and cooperating agencies conduct manual snow surveys around the first of the month from January to May. The manual surveys supplement and check the accuracy of real-time electronic readings.
Mountain snow that melts into streams, reservoirs and aquifers in spring and summer normally provides approximately one-third of the water for California's households, farms and industries. But unless conditions change this winter, water from the snowpack will be substantially less than normal this year.
One bright spot is good reservoir storage carried over from last winter.
Lake Oroville in Butte County, the State Water Project's principal storage reservoir, is at 100 percent of average for the date (71 percent of its 3.5 million acre-foot capacity), Lake Shasta north of Redding, the federal Central Valley Project's largest reservoir with a capacity of 4.5 million acre-feet, is at 94 percent of its normal storage level for the date (69 percent of capacity). San Luis Reservoir in Merced County, an important storage reservoir south of the Delta, is at 99 percent of average for the date (85 percent of its capacity of 2,027,840 acre-feet). San Luis is a critically important source of water for both the State Water Project and Central Valley Project when pumping from the Delta is restricted or interrupted.
Statewide, reservoir storage is 110 percent of normal for the date.
Unusually wet conditions last winter allowed the State Water Project to deliver 80 percent of the slightly more than 4 million acre-feet requested for calendar year 2011. The final allocation was 50 percent in 2010, 40 percent in 2009, 35 percent in 2008, and 60 percent in 2007. The last 100 percent allocation : difficult to achieve even in wet years because of fishery agency restrictions on Delta pumping to protect threatened and endangered fish : was in 2006.
This winter's unusually dry conditions to date have principally been caused by a high pressure ridge along California's coast that has diverted most storms to the north.
Electronic snowpack readings are available on the Internet at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cgi-progs/snow/DLYSWEQ
Electronic reservoir level readings may be found at:
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/resapp/getResGraphsMain.action
See DWR's new Water Conditions page at:
‘Miracle’ not likely for March
Posted by: Maven on February 28, 2012 at 9:28 amFrom the Oroville Mercury Register:
“Conditions were remarkably similar then. February and the rainfall year that preceded it had been painfully dry. As the shortest month came to its end, the potential for a record drought year loomed large.
That was March 1991, and the similarities to 2012 are striking. But no one’s expecting the March Miracle of ’91.
“We are tracking for this being among the driest years on record,” said Paul Gosselin, Butte County director of the Department of Water and Resource Conservation.
According to records complied by this newspaper, the driest year ever recorded was 1976-77, when a total of 11.22 inches of precipitation fell on the Sacramento Valley floor. … “
Continue reading from the Oroville Mercury Register by clicking here.
Special Report: The cost of a mild winter
Posted by: Maven on February 28, 2012 at 9:24 amFrom CBS 47:
“It’s been a dry year. The lack of rain and mountain snow is now a serious concern, not just for our agricultural economy, but for all who live in Central California.
This time last year we had nearly a foot of rain. As of late February, we have less than three and a half inches. The current 30% snowpack is even more concerning because it feeds our water supply the rest of the year.
To understand why this year is so dry, meteorologists look to the past for patterns going back months, decades, and even centuries.
CBS47's Chief Meteorologist Scott Mace said, “You have this strong La Niña pattern that is forecast to weaken. … “
Continue reading this extensive special report from CBS 47 by clicking here.
In other drought news:
- After a Dry February (sigh), Drought Looms on Central Valley Farms, from KQED’s Climate Watch
- Images Reveal California’s Worsening Drought, from The Weather Channel
NOTE: The Department of Water Resources will hold its third monthly snow survey today. I’ll post the results as soon as I receive them.
Weather update: Winter weather returns!!!
Posted by: Maven on February 27, 2012 at 7:45 am
From the National Weather Service in Sacramento:
“A cold upper trough will move over northern California today with scattered showers possible, mainly to the south of Interstate 80. A break in the pattern is expected tonight into Tuesday until the next stronger and wetter frontal system moves through late Tuesday night and Wednesday. This second system is forecast to bring showers to the central valley, and a potential for significant snowfall accumulations for higher elevations. Snow levels are forecast to be near 2000 feet for the mid-week system. This system will also bring gusty southerly winds with gusts in excess of 50 mph possible over the higher elevations of the Sierra. “
On the Public Record with some thoughts on drought
Posted by: Maven on February 27, 2012 at 7:39 amFrom the On the Public Record blog:
“I want to put down some thoughts on drought before a drought is declared, before anything I say will necessarily be a response to drought politicking. I'd also like these thoughts to be more general, not the same stuff we had so much fun with last time (40,000 jobs! Thousands of acres of almond trees bulldozed! Bait fish!). These aren't in order of importance.
- If this year is as dry as it looks to be, the obvious question is whether we are in year 5 of a long drought (with a sporadic wet year). Won't find that out for a long time.
- Drought is a very strange emergency, since it comes on so slow, without an origin event. Emergency managers get flummoxed by it.
Continue reading from On the Public Record by clicking here.
Sierra snowpack only at 30% of normal
Posted by: Maven on February 24, 2012 at 10:10 pmFrom the San Francisco Chronicle:
“State officials are bracing for more bad water news about the Sierra snowpack when surveyors go back into the field on Tuesday.
Electronic readings released Thursday show the water content in the snowpack at 30 percent of normal for this date. And it’s just 25 percent of the average usually measured on April 1 when the snowpack is at its peak and the spring melt begins. … “
Continue reading from the San Francisco Chronicle by clicking here.
Dry winter means less water expected for farmers
Posted by: Maven on February 24, 2012 at 8:25 amFrom the Visalia Times-Delta:
“After a particularly dry winter that left little snow in the Sierra Nevada, Tom Barcellos figured this year’s water allotment from the Friant-Kern Canal for his east Tulare County farm and dairy might be less than normal.
Barcellos said he and others farmers who depend on the canal water hoped to get 40 percent to 50 percent of the water they are contracted to receive in years with normal or better rainfall.
But on Wednesday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation announced that federally-controlled water distributed through the Central Valley Project would be considerably less than Barcellos and others had hoped. … “
Continue reading from the Visalia Times-Delta by clicking here.
SEE ALSO: Dry winter signals less irrigation for Central Valley farmers, from the Independent Voter Network
‘Storm of the century’ may become ‘storm of the decade’
Posted by: Maven on February 24, 2012 at 7:35 amFrom YubaNet.com:
“As the Earth’s climate changes, the worst inundations from hurricanes and tropical storms could become far more common in low-lying coastal areas, a new study suggests. Researchers from Princeton University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology found that regions such as the New York City metropolitan area that currently experience a disastrous flood every century could instead become submerged every one or two decades.
The researchers report in the journal Nature Climate Change that projected increases in sea level and storm intensity brought on by climate change would make devastating storm surges the deadly and destructive mass of water pushed inland by large storms more frequent. Using various global climate models, the team developed a simulation tool that can predict the severity of future flooding an area can expect. … “
Continue reading from YubaNet.com by clicking here.
Weather update: The numbers tell the sad story
Posted by: Maven on February 22, 2012 at 8:54 amFrom the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog:
“As promised yesterday I bring today the statistics of precipitation in the West as compared to normal. The chart below in the first column shows what percent of normal precipitation has falling so far in February through midnight last night. The second column is what percentage of normal precipitation has fallen since July 1, 2011. Why that date To make comparisons across different states uniform. As some of you know the water year in California runs July 1 to June 30, not the calendar year. … “
Continue reading from the Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
Weather update: Below normal precipitation – and the beat goes on
Posted by: Maven on February 21, 2012 at 7:12 amFrom the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog:
“There have been changes in the weather pattern from warm to cool and even a little rain and snow thrown in for the Southwest part of the Nation over the last month. (For the purposes of this discussion I am defining the Southwest as being much of California to Nevada and south into Arizona. ) But what has not changed is the drier than normal weather that has been plaguing this area of the country all Winter long. And according to all models I am looking at, and also the people at the Climate Prediction Center, there is absolutely no reason for optimism.
The current cool trough in the Southwest will be replaced by more of a ridge taking over the rest of the week. The center of that ridge stays off the coast of California but it will get closer sending the jet stream farther away from this area of the country. This is likely to bring precipitation free weather the rest of the week and through Saturday in all of the Southwest. Temperatures will be getting warmer, considerably above normal, by 10 degrees or more, over a large part of this area. … “
Continue reading from the Accu-Weather Western Weather Blog by clicking here.
West: Regional water outlook still uncertain
Posted by: Maven on February 20, 2012 at 5:43 amFrom the Summit County Citizens Voice:
“Low season flows into Lake Powell have been near normal in recent weeks, with the Colorado River delivering about 356,000 acre feet (99 percent of average) during January, leaving the reservoir about 63 feet below full pool.
With the overall snowpack in the Upper Colorado Basin at about 77 percent of average and the long-term weather outlook uncertain, water managers aren't sure how the runoff season will go. … “
Continue reading from the Summit County Citizens Voice by clicking here.
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