PHILLIPS (KMJ) — The first snowpack measurement of 2018 saw a significantly lower level recorded by state officials. Measurements at Phillips Station, south of Lake Tahoe, established that it stood at 3% of average.
Following the announcement Wednesday morning, the Department of Water Resources said that the bulk of precipitation comes through atmospheric rivers, which are being blocked by high pressure. If that changes then it could open the door to more rainfall.
“As we’re only a third of the way through California’s three wettest months, it’s far too early to draw any conclusions about what kind of season we’ll have this year,” said Director Grant Davis.
“California’s great weather variability means we can go straight from a dry year to a wet year and back again to dry.”
The DWR added that electronic readings at 103 other stations provide a broader view of the situation. Figures from January 3rd 2018 show the northern Sierra Nevada snowpack stands at 21% of average, the central region at 29% average, and the southern region at 24% average.
Hear the report from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
