California Snowpack Makes Unprecedented Comeback

California's snowpack has made an unprecedented comeback that is of a magnitude never seen before in this century.

At the beginning of January, the snowpack levels measured a measly 28 percent of normal. But this month snowpack levels measure 110 percent of normal.

Weather analyst and storm chaser Colin McCarthy told Newsweek that a snowpack comeback of this magnitude "has not happened in the 21st century."

"Before 2000-2001, it's been difficult to find a consistent database for California's statewide snowpack," said McCarthy, who is also an atmospheric science student.

"On February 1, the snowpack was just 53 percent of normal and has now finished above normal [at] 110 percent. There hasn't been a year in the 21st century close to replicating this pattern: a much below average snowpack at the beginning of February [less than 55 percent] and then finishing above normal by spring," he said.

Since January, California has been battered by winter storms. A series of atmospheric rivers hit the state from the end of February into early March, followed by a blizzard that increased snowfall at higher elevations in the Sierra Nevada.

However, it was not until the April snow survey, which is the most important of the year, that snowpack levels displayed this sort of comeback.

The levels are not quite as high as they were last year, which had record amounts of snowpack accumulating in the mountains. But it means good things for the state's water supply, which relies heavily on snowpack melting into the rivers and reservoirs.

"Growing up in California in the 21st century, I have seen three separate record-setting multiyear droughts plague the state, so it's fantastic to see two years in a row of above-normal snowpack," McCarthy said. "Following last year's record-setting snowpack, this year's slightly above [normal] snowpack is a perfect case scenario for California's water supply."

Before 2023, California was suffering from a serious drought. That year brought extreme rain and snowfall, however, which lifted the state's drought status. It looks as though California will enjoy a drought-free year again this year because of the snowpack comeback.

"A near-average water year means flood managers will not have to worry about mitigating a significant flood risk this spring as snow melts," McCarthy said. "Similarly, we won't have to worry about drought conditions if we had a below-average snowpack this year.

"It's becoming even rarer these days to have a normal snowpack in the spring due to climate whiplash, which we have seen frequently in the last five to 10 years when we swing from extremely dry to extremely wet winters in California," he continued. "This slightly above average snowpack will allow the state to enjoy another drought-free summer with full reservoirs, without having to worry about flooding or drought."

Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about snowpack? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.