California Hits Snowpack Milestone Not Seen in 25 Years

For the first time in 25 years, California has experienced three consecutive years of near- or above-average snowpack, according to April 1, 2025, measurements from the California Department of Water Resources.

As of April 1, the Northern Sierra reported 121% of average snowpack, with a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 31.2 inches. The Central Sierra was at 96% (26.5 inches SWE), while the Southern Sierra came in at 87% (19.1 inches SWE).

This near-average winter follows two wet years, helping California recover from its driest three-year stretch on record from 2020 to 2022. The last time California saw a similar snowpack streak was from 1998 to 2000.

“Earlier on, there were some indicators that we might have a dry year, but fortunately, the storm windows stayed open,” said Andy Reising, snow surveys manager for DWR.

Statewide precipitation since October 1, 2024, has hit 103% of average. An end-of-March storm brought 39.5 inches of snow to Phillips Station near Lake Tahoe, with a SWE of 17 inches. DWR teams surveyed 265 Sierra sites, measuring snowpack by ski, snowmobile, and helicopter.

The strong snowpack has prompted state water officials to increase allocations from the State Water Project to 40%, up from 35% last month. The project supplies water to Southern California via aqueducts.

Reservoir levels are also strong, currently at 117% of average, and the Metropolitan Water District reports record levels of banked water.

“This year is a lesson in why we can never know for certain what our water picture will look like until we get to the end of our traditional wet season,” Reising said.