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GliderGuider

(21,088 posts)
Sun May 31, 2015, 12:37 AM May 2015

California’s Snowpack Is Now Zero Percent of Normal

California’s Snowpack Is Now Zero Percent of Normal

California’s current megadrought hit a shocking new low this week: On Thursday, the state’s snowpack officially ran out.

At least some measurable snowpack in the Sierra mountains usually lasts all summer. But this year, its early demise means that runoff from the mountains—which usually makes up the bulk of surface water for farms and cities during the long summer dry season—will be essentially non-existent. To be clear: there’s still a bit of snow left, and some water will be released from reservoirs (which are themselves dangerously low), but this is essentially a worst-case scenario when it comes to California’s fragile water supply.



With a burgeoning El Niño on the way, there’s reason to believe the rains could return soon—but not before October or November. The state’s now mired in such a deep water deficit that even a Texas-sized flood may not totally eliminate the drought.

Welcome to climate change, everyone.
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California’s Snowpack Is Now Zero Percent of Normal (Original Post) GliderGuider May 2015 OP
No surprise OnlinePoker May 2015 #1
None more. None more percent. phantom power May 2015 #2
We did it!!!!!!!! GliderGuider May 2015 #3
A hopeful little ditty for next year, that there will be SOMETHING up there. Systematic Chaos May 2015 #4
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