California records biggest snow accumulation this
century
According to California water officials, the biggest accumulation of state-wide snow of this century for the start of March, is a bounty that is likely to grow in the coming storm.
This will further ease the state’s drought-time water shortages.
The snow-pack in Sierra Nevada & southern cascades at 190 % of average tallied with the official March snow survey.
Snow in late February across parts of California due to a spate of cold storms causes travel problems & park shortages.
Snow gives nearly a third of the state's water, making the melt off a critical boost to reservoirs after the rainy season.
This year’s March survey results top the big snow year in 2017, when state-wide snowpack was 184% at the start of the month.
A more definitive projection of water supplies can be made after the April snow survey which is the most important as it measures the snow at its historical peak.
Post April tally, water agencies throughout the state will check their reserves and decide if they'll need to restrict water deliveries going forward.
As per the March survey, snowpack was highest in the southern and central Sierra, at 231% of average and 196% of average, respectively
State’s snow measurements focus on the quantity of
water
in the snow, not other qualities like depth, as these metrics help gauge water supplies for the future.
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