California Warns of Another Dry Year After Snowless January

(Bloomberg) -- California water officials warned that the Golden State could face its third consecutive dry year after a lack of snow during the traditionally wet month of January.

The state's overall snowpack sits at slightly-below normal for the year at 92%, said Sean de Guzman, a snow survey and water supply forecast manager for the California Department of Water Resources. The state's snow levels were well above average at the end of December after record snowfalls, but hasn't received much precipitation since then, he said.

“That one dry month of January just wiped out whatever head start we had as we head toward the end of winter,” de Guzman said during a press conference at Phillips Station, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, where snow levels were at 109% of average for the date. “We all need to be prepared for another consecutive dry year.”

The first half of February is forecast to be dry as well, he said. “That's why we are starting to get more concerned.”

The state's reservoir levels are far below normal at 76% of average for this time of year, de Guzman said.

California gets the bulk of its water during the winter months when storm systems typically bring snow to its mountain ranges. On average, the Sierra snowpack supplies about 30% of the state's water needs, according to DWR. The alpine snow is relied upon to supply water for reservoirs, farming and drinking throughout the dry summers. The state has been in the grips of a multi-year drought that has led to more intense summer wildfires, strained hydroelectric supplies and prompted conservation efforts.