A recent blizzard that dumped up to 10 feet (3 meters) of snow on California's mountains has pushed snowpack levels above average for the first time this year. This surge offers a much-needed replenish before the inevitable return of hot and dry weather.
California, home to nearly 40 million people and a $50 billion agricultural industry, closely monitors the snowpack in the Sierra Nevada as a critical reserve for future water supplies. After enduring a historic drought for much of this century, the state is on track for a second wet year in a row, bringing hope to many.
However, experts caution that much of the excess snow could be washed away by a warm rainstorm. Snow levels currently measuring just a few points above average may not be sufficient to solve long-term water scarcity issues.
\"It's a pretty stark contrast to where we were in January, when we had very little snow on the mountains,\" said Heather Cooley, director of research at the Pacific Institute, a water-focused think tank. \"But there's still a long way to go to erase the overextraction that we saw during the dry years.\"
The increased precipitation will help recharge aquifers and reservoirs, improve fish habitats, and alleviate pressures on farmers. While the moisture may temporarily stave off fire conditions, it also promotes vegetation growth that could fuel future wildfires.
Statewide snow levels were at 104 percent of average for March 4, according to the California Department of Water Resources, with the northern region at 111 percent and the southern region at 94 percent of normal. However, water managers emphasize snowpack measurements as of April 1—the traditional peak—with current levels statewide only at 94 percent of the April 1 average.
The recent blizzard was an outlier against this year's warm, rainy weather. Another warm rainstorm could wash away much of the reserve and increase flood risks, warned Justin Collins, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Reno. \"The last thing we need is a really warm, wet storm that rolls through and causes a lot of flooding and leads to all the snow melt all at once,\" he said.
As climate change makes droughts more frequent and intense, policymakers must continue advancing projects like water recycling, stormwater capture, and floodplain restoration to ensure long-term water supplies. \"We can't be distracted by one year, even two good years,\" Cooley emphasized.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
