Well, folks, in the mind of some water watchers, it's not to early to begin the chant: drought, drought, and more drought. The State of California dispatches its measuring teams to the Sierra twice a year or more to measure snowpack on the ground. The teams insert tubes to take samples of snow accumulation in specific zones to assess the amount of water held in these high altitude locations to aid in forecasting the amount of water that can be made available to the state's agricultural users and residential areas in need of information relative to the spring melt. This year's measurements were not surprising: it stands at about 20% of what is considered "normal" for February. Thus the first warnings are sent out to districts around the state. Now there is sufficient water in storage already that means normal amounts will be delivered for 2020. However, it's next year that users look to when figuring needs ahead of the current year.
Lake Tahoe makes the perfect picture: a scan of the horizon indicates what little snow is on the ground. The surrounding basin peaks are only lightly dusted with visible snow. Such is the life of Tahoma residents: we see it everyday. We live it everyday. There isn't much snow this year. Maybe we'll get lucky in March; maybe not. keep your fingers crossed: forecasters see some precipitation for the coming weekend.
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| Look to Nevada |
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| Look to Heavenly Valley |
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