Snowpack Numbers from California

It's no news to readers of this blog that California has had a winter for the ages.  As of May 5th, automated snowpack sensors showed the snowpack in the northern Sierra/Trinity region at 189% of average, central Sierra at 193% of average, and southern Sierra at 168% of average.

Those numbers are impressive, but here are the peak snow depths from manual snow course measurements taken in late April and early May from each region:

  • Northern Sierra/Trinity: Lower Lasen Peak, 8250 ft, 266" snow depth, 131.5" water content
  • Central Sierra: Bond Pass, 9300 ft, 192" snow depth, 101.0" water content
  • Southern Sierra: Piute Pass, 11,300 ft, 166.5" snow depth, 85.0 inch water content

For comparison, the Alta-Collins snow depth sensor and Snowbird SNOTEL measured 125" snow depth and 58.3" of water equivalent yesterday.

Stay thirsty my friends...

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