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

[Zorro]

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

[onecaliberal]

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

Last edited Tue May 2, 2023, 09:44 PM - Edit history (1)

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

[FirstLight]

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

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]

3. China Peak is still open.

I don’t ever remember that.

[FirstLight]

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

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

[onecaliberal]

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

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]

6. The weather in CA has been nice and cool

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.