California's storms have increased the state's water supply.
Later this week, the California Department of Water Resources will conduct its first snow survey of the season. The Department of Water Resources explains that the information gathered is critical for managing the state’s water supply during dry months. On average, 75% of California's annual precipitation – rain, snow, and hail – falls from November through March. The bulk of this precipitation occurs in just three months -- December, January, and February -- when California's atmospheric rivers start to come through. The amount of atmospheric rivers -- or lack thereof -- during the winter season can determine if the year will be wet or dry.
This month's survey will take place at the Phillips Station snow course on Thursday. It's one of more than 260 snow courses across the Sierra Nevada that DWR measures for snowpack water content at least four times a year.