California Is Having Its Wettest Year on Record To Date:

Chris Wallner | | Post Tag for WeatherWeather
On track to be the wettest year yet.
On track to be the wettest year on record.  image:  noaa, today

NOAA is reporting that California is currently having its wettest year do date.  CA is on track to have its wettest year on record.

As of Wednesday, January 11th, 2017, California has seen 13.5 trillion gallons of water past 10 days. That number is unheard of, that is some serious rainfall over a short period of time.

Massive CA Storm Totals. Image: NOAA
Massive CA Storm Totals. Image: NOAA

California got absolutely pounded by the recent storm that hit the state head-on. Up to 28.69″ of precipitation fell at Three Peaks in Monterey, CA and up to 180″ of snow fell in the past 7 days at Mammoth Mountain.

Snowpack already well above average but still a ways off of the legendary 82/83' season.  image:  noaa, today
Snowpack already well above average but still a bit off of the legendary 82/83′ season. image: noaa, today

While lower elevations and areas closer to the ocean saw mainly rain, the Sierras and higher elevations saw massive snowfall totals from this storm. Successive storms have kicked off 2017 like no other year, California is on track to have its wettest year on record.

Crazy deep up there. Image: Heavenly Facebook Page
Crazy deep up there. Image: Heavenly Facebook Page

Heavenly Conditions:

  • Storm Total: 114″
  • 7 Day Snowfall Total: 128″
Holy Snow. Image: Kirkwood Facebook Page
Holy Snow. Image: Kirkwood Facebook Page

Kirkwood Conditions:

  • Storm Total: 91″
  • 7 Day Snowfall Total: 133″
It's been NUKING at Squaw. Image: Squaw Facebook Page
It’s been NUKING at Squaw. Image: Squaw Facebook Page

Squaw Valley Conditions:

  • Storm Total: 78″
  • 7 Day Snowfall Total: 111″
Powder awaits you at Northstar. Image: Northstar Facebook Page
Powder awaits you at Northstar. Image: Northstar Facebook Page

Northstar Conditions:

  • Storm Total: 93″
  • 7 Day Snowfall Total: 122″
NUKING at Boreal. Image: Boreal Facebook Page
NUKING at Boreal. Image: Boreal Facebook Page

Boreal Conditions:

  • Storm Total: 77″
  • 7 Day Snowfall Total: 173″
Mammoth opened on Wednesday.. Image: Mammoth Mountain Facebook Page
Mammoth opened on Wednesday.. Image: Mammoth Mountain Facebook Page

Mammoth Conditions:

  • 7 Day Snowfall Totals: 120-180″
CA Reservoir Update. Image: CDEC
CA Reservoir Update. Image: CDEC

The Tahoe area didn’t just receive tons of snow from this storm, they got 9″ of rain at upper elevation with rain that came thru sat and sun. The rain followed by snow has added to the avalanche danger in the area.

While rain has helped reduced the California drought, so has a lot of the lower elevation snowfall. Most of it melted on contact with the ground, so it added to flooding and liquid on the ground.

5 major California Reservoirs are ABOVE historical average, which is a huge step in the right direction.

With a current daily precipitation of 41.9″, this year is on track to be the wettest water year on record for California.

Wow, check out these totals.. Image: NOAA
Wow, check out these totals.. Image: NOAA

This storm has consisted of heavy snowfall, flooding, avalanches, mud slides, tornadoes, high winds, and blizzards. With up to 180″ of snowfall and 28.69″ of rain in a weeks time, it will take a while for California to be back to normal. Until then, enjoy the massive snowfall totals on the mountain, but do so in an area that has been mitigated for avalanches.

Flooding near SR-70. Image: CHP Donner Pass
Flooding near SR-70. Image: CHP Donner Pass
Avalanche hits home in Alpine Meadows. Image: Siig
Avalanche hits home in Alpine Meadows. Image: Siig
A major mudslide at Donner Summit, CA on Sunday Night Closed HWY 80 for a long time. PC: California Highway Patrol
A major mudslide at Donner Summit, CA on Sunday Night Closed HWY 80 for a long time.
PC: California Highway Patrol

Related Articles

Got an opinion? Let us know...