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Latest snowpack measurements show California water supplies in decent shape
California Department of Water Resources personnel review data from the first snow survey of the 2026 season at Phillips Station in the Sierra Nevada on Dec. 30.
(
Nick Shockey
/
California Department of Water Resources
)
Topline:
Despite a slow start, California's snowpack has started to catch up to historical averages for this time of year across the central and southern Sierra Nevada. The northern portion of the mountain range — responsible for roughly 30% of Southern California's water — continues to lag behind.
Sierra snowpack: The northern Sierra is at 61% of normal, while the central Sierra is at 93%. The southern Sierra is at 114%. Large amounts of Southern California's water come from the Sierra Nevada.
Local rainfall: Los Angeles has gotten 308% of its normal rainfall for this time of year. Riverside (141%), Death Valley (250%) and San Diego (226%) are all above average as well.
Reservoir levels: All of California's reservoirs are near or above their historic Jan. 5 average thanks to recent wet years.
Out-of-state resources: Though California's drought conditions have been alleviated by recent precipitation, much of the Western U.S. remains troublingly dry. The Colorado River supplies about 20% of Southern California's water, according to the Metropolitan Water District. Snowpack in the Colorado River Basin is at 72% of normal. Major reservoirs Lake Powell and Lake Mead are still at low levels.
Looking ahead: Snowfall typically peaks in the Sierra Nevada between January and March, so there's plenty of time for a sizable snowpack to build up.
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