California snowpack surges after huge storm. Here’s how much

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | March 4th, 2024 | By Anthony Edwards, Kate Galbraith

[Mariner]

After a multi-day blizzard dropped 6 to 11 feet of snow across the Sierra Nevada, California’s snowpack has surged to above normal for the first time this year.

State data updated Monday morning shows the snowpack at 104% of normal for this time of year. It’s a stunning change from just two months ago, when the state snowpack stood at a paltry 25% of normal on Jan. 2.

The snowpack was highest relative to historical averages in the Northern Sierra, where it stood at 111% of normal. Last weekend’s storm buried Lake Tahoe to the point of closing ski resorts. The Northern and Central Sierra was hit hardest, particularly along Interstate 80 at Donner Summit (which reopened Monday morning after a three-day closure). Caltrans measured 9.5 feet of snow in Soda Springs, with 10.5 feet at Sugar Bowl.

[bert]

On average, California is still desert

[zeestephen]

Seattle has had below average temperatures for 10 consecutive days.

Our rainfall is above average since January 1st, and also above average since October 1st, which is the start of our rainy season.

Very unusual - this is an El Nino year, which is almost always warmer and drier than average.

[wbarmy]

It’s the end of the medieval warming period, that’s what it is.