Far below normal streamflow is expected for California, southern Oregon, Arizona, New Mexico, southern Utah and western Nevada, according to USDA officials.
Data from the U.S. Department of Agricultureβs National Water and Climate Center (NWCC) April forecast suggest March storms increased snowpack in the Pacific Northwest but did little to help provide relief for California.
April 1 is important because the snow typically reaches its peak and begins to melt.
βMany water managers, reservoir operators, irrigation districts and hydroelectric power companies make significant strategic decisions based on the April forecasts,β NRCS National Water & Climate Center Hydrologist Cara McCarthy said in an agency news release.
View the April Snow Survey and Water Supply Forecast map here.