The California Department of Water Resources carried out a snow survey in Phillips Station on Wednesday.
The state measured a snowpack that's 0% of average, only slightly better than in 2015 when there was no snow on the ground.
California's statewide is 18% of average - the second driest year in almost a quarter century.
DWR says this year’s statewide snowpack likely reached its peak on or near February 24.
“It feels like we skipped spring this year and dropped straight into a summer heatwave,” said DWR Director Karla Nemeth. “What should be gradual snowmelt happened suddenly weeks ago. To me, this is another reminder that aging water systems need to be retrofit for more volatile precipitation patterns. We’re seeing fewer, warmer storms and shorter wet seasons. Future water supplies will depend upon our ability to capture water when it’s available and manage it more efficiently.”
