One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
