The snow that falls on the Sierras in California is “water in the bank”. Falling as snow means water will be released with rising temperatures in spring and summer, ensuring a steady supply of water as the snowpack melts. Falling as rain, it'd run off more quickly and lead to a flood-drought scenario. But 2024 is starting out behind. From The Mercury News:
Sierra Nevada snowpack at lowest level in 10 years: What it means for California’s water supply
Reversal from last year’s wet winter has left the Sierra snowpack at just 25% of normal for early January
California’s statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack — the source of nearly one-third of the state’s water supply — is at its lowest level in a decade, a major turnaround from last year when huge storms ended a three year-drought and buried ski resorts in massive amounts of snow.
On Tuesday, the snowpack was just 25% of its historical average for Jan. 2. The last time there was less snow at the beginning of a new year was on Jan. 2, 2014, when it stood at just 19%.
The rest of the article by Paul Rogers reports reservoirs are still at levels high enough from last year to make restrictions on urban water use unlikely. Further, there’s still a chance there will be some big storms of snow/rain that can make up some of the difference.
Less run off will be a problem for aquatic and other wild life that depends on it. It will have implications for fire season. There will also be some problems if there isn't sufficient water to feed into the elaborate canal systems for agricultural use. Considering that there were some major flooding events last year, that may not be the worst if it doesn’t become a serious shortage this year. At the moment there is coastal flooding from storms and high waves hitting the coast.
Last winter saw record snow falls; this time around ski areas are feeling the lack of snow.
Only about half the lifts are open at many Sierra resorts. This weekend, 12 of 20 were open at Northstar; 6 of 12 at Sugar Bowl; 9 of 27 at Heavenly; 9 of 13 at Kirkwood; and 23 of 36 at Palisades.
Reitzell said the industry had its best year in 20 years last year, when there was so much snow that resorts were open through June. Pent-up demand after the COVID pandemic had people flocking to the mountains, and last year’s massive Sierra snowpack — which was 237% of its historical average on April 1 — buried the Tahoe area in snow.
The Hurricane Hunters of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron have already begun flying missions to monitor atmospheric rivers hitting the Pacific Coast. Those rivers cross the Pacific Ocean picking up vast amounts of water that eventually comes down on the Americas. The Squadron will be deploying aircraft to Guam shortly to get more data on the conditions where those rivers start.
So, keep checking the weather. Things could get interesting — we just don’t know when or where yet.