California

Zorro

(16,313 posts) Tue May 2, 2023, 07:19 PM May 2023

California's colossal snowpack has yet to melt: 'Less and less places for that water to go'

California’s remarkably wet winter may be several weeks behind us, but flooding remains a significant threat as the majority of the state’s massive snowpack has yet to melt, and more snow is forecast for this week.

“This melt really is still just getting started,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UCLA. “I know that’s hard to believe, but we’re getting into May and the peak is probably yet to come.”

A Department of Water Resources crew conducted its fifth snow survey of the year Monday and determined that statewide snowpack was 254% of normal for the date, with the equivalent of 49.2 inches of water contained in the snow.

Link to tweet

The survey, conducted at Phillips Station near south Lake Tahoe, marked the first time there was measurable snow on May 1 at Phillips Station since 2020. That year, there was only 1.5 inches of snow on the ground, with a snow water equivalent of 0.5 inches.

https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2023-05-02/most-of-californias-colossal-snowpack-has-yet-to-melt

6 replies

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California's colossal snowpack has yet to melt: 'Less and less places for that water to go' (Original Post) Zorro May 2023 OP

It snowed up there yesterday. It's currently raining onecaliberal May 2023 #1

In Meyers (off Hwy 50 past Echo Summitt) we had a bit this morning... FirstLight May 2023 #2

China Peak is still open. onecaliberal May 2023 #3

Had to look it up...it's south near Fresno. FirstLight May 2023 #4

Yes, a lot closer to Yosemite than me. I am a few hours out. onecaliberal May 2023 #5

The weather in CA has been nice and cool BigmanPigman May 2023 #6

onecaliberal

(35,901 posts)

1. It snowed up there yesterday. It's currently raining

Reply to Zorro (Original post)

Tue May 2, 2023, 07:21 PM

May 2023

Last edited Tue May 2, 2023, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

On the valley floor. I’m sure it’s snowing at higher elevations.

FirstLight

(14,148 posts)

2. In Meyers (off Hwy 50 past Echo Summitt) we had a bit this morning...

Reply to onecaliberal (Reply #1)

Tue May 2, 2023, 08:15 PM

May 2023

1-1.5" melted off and also snowed thru the day, didn't stick much.

Tonight might happen again...

ugh
yea, we needed the water but I am over it by now lol

onecaliberal

(35,901 posts)

3. China Peak is still open.

Reply to FirstLight (Reply #2)

Tue May 2, 2023, 08:44 PM

May 2023

I don’t ever remember that.

FirstLight

(14,148 posts)

4. Had to look it up...it's south near Fresno.

Reply to onecaliberal (Reply #3)

Tue May 2, 2023, 08:46 PM

May 2023

I'm in South Lake Tahoe area Many of the resorts here are still open too!

onecaliberal

(35,901 posts)

5. Yes, a lot closer to Yosemite than me. I am a few hours out.

Reply to FirstLight (Reply #4)

Tue May 2, 2023, 09:58 PM

May 2023

It’s the nearest place to ski for us though. It’s no Heavenly, but we can at least ski. I don’t ever remember it being open in May.
I’ve heard the snow hasn’t really melted in the high Sierras as of yet.

BigmanPigman

(52,292 posts)

6. The weather in CA has been nice and cool

Reply to Zorro (Original post)

Tue May 2, 2023, 10:01 PM

May 2023

So I am assuming that the melt will be gradual and not cause too many flooding problems. The amount of water that the state got will be a big bonus in the long run. Floods will come and go but years of severe drought has finally stopped for the time being and we are grateful for that. I vote for some floods in the short term as opposed to years and years of no rain.

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