The words historical and one for the record books can now be said about this year’s snowfall. According to the Sierra Central Snow Lab in Soda Springs, this year has been deemed the second snowiest in its nearly 80-year history of taking snow depth records. Only falling just short of 1952 when the snow height topped 65 feet. In recent decades 2011 saw a significant snowfall yet held more water content than currently held in this years snowpack. Other record-shattering numbers include those at two Tahoe ski resorts becoming the first in the country to exceed 700 inches of snow. While further south, Mammoth Mountain is about to surpass its record of 668 inches of snow.
Lassen Volcanic National Park also reports a snow depth of nearly 180 inches, which is currently 89% of the April 1st average.
Andrew Schwartz, lead scientist and manager at the snow lab, told USA Today, “While it’s not impossible to break the 1952/1953 record, the Snow Lab only averages 48 inches of snowfall between March 20th and the end of the season” making this year’s snowpack falling 7 feet short of the record.
However, Schwartz added, “It doesn’t look like the storm window is closing and, as long as it stays open, there’s a chance to beat [the] 1952/1953 [water year].”
The National weather service says more snow arrives for upper elevations this afternoon and is expected to continue through the next six to eight days.
