According to California’s Central Sierra Snow Lab (CSSL), the Sierra Nevada is experiencing an unusually dry January, marking its seventh driest start to the year since 1971. As of January 28, 2025, the lab has recorded only 1.5 inches of precipitation this month, raising concerns about potential drought conditions in the region.
The lab at Donner Pass in the Sierra Nevada is on its 24th consecutive day without measurable snow or precipitation. This streak represents the third-longest winter dry spell since 1991, surpassed only by similar periods in 2007 and 2022. In the context of the lab’s recorded history dating back to 1971, it is the seventh-longest dry stretch.
The lack of precipitation is particularly noteworthy given that January typically falls within California’s wet season. This dry spell could have significant implications for the state’s water supply, as the Sierra Nevada snowpack provides nearly a third of California’s water when it melts in the spring.
Thankfully, the pattern looks to be ending, with snow forecast to begin falling this weekend and continue for at least the following few days.
State water officials are urging residents to practice water conservation measures, even as they hope for a turnaround in weather patterns in the coming weeks. The California Department of Water Resources has scheduled its next snow survey for early February, providing a more comprehensive picture of the state’s water outlook.
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