[pct-l] California snowpack at just 83 percent of average

[Barry Teschlog]

One can hope that the precip shows in copious quantities, especially in So Cal, for the sake of drought relief.  The recent (last few months) precip has mostly been in Nor Cal, as indicated by the series history of the maps found at 

http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/which show the drought conditions easing somewhat in Nor Cal with little change in central and So Cal.


Stream flows in So Cal fromhttp://waterwatch.usgs.gov/index.php?r=ca&m=realIndicates that the drought is still solidly in place in So Cal especially, and hence seasonal water, seems to be in short supply.  A sustained period of wet weather will be required to really moisten the ground.  In watching the flows in Nor Cal, the first few dumps of rain caused the stream flows to surge as expected, but with very quick decay in flow as it was clear that the ground was still quite dry to depth.  After multiple rounds of rain, the stream flows, as they drop, have been dropping more slowly and to higher and higher flows, indicating that the ground has actually absorbed significant water to depth in combination with the snow pack to be slowly released.


It will be interesting to watch the snow charts athttp://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/swcchart.actionover the coming days and weeks.  Current South Sierra condition, the one of most interest to NOBO thrus, is 72% of normal for date and 63% of the typical April 1 (max) value.  Unless March turns into a full on non-stop lion of storms, it's looking like another meh snow year.


Barry



Also, multiple storms headed our way plus the jet stream has finally dropped indicating more to come.

Jim


-----Original Message-----


And, starting today, from 2 - 10' of snow is expected by the weekend.

Mel

-----Original Message-----
From: Pct-L [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net] On Behalf Of Brick Robbins
Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2016 8:26 AM
To: PCT <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: [pct-l] California snowpack at just 83 percent of average

ECHO SUMMIT, Calif. (AP) — An unwelcome three-week winter dry spell left the California snowpack at just 83 percent of average, a setback for the state as it tries to break out of record drought, state snow surveyors found Tuesday.

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2016/mar/01/state-surveyors-return-to-sierra-nevada-to/