After an extremely dry January, California’s snowpack in the Sierra Nevada now measures just 65% of the average for this time of year, but state water officials said two winter storms are expected to bring more snow and rain that will add to the state’s water supplies. State officials announced the below-average snowpack measurements as they carried out their monthly snow survey at Phillips Station near South Lake Tahoe. Fresh snow was falling as they drove a metal tube into the snow to measure its water content, adding to data collected across the Sierra range.

Other snow survey news:

• The Mercury News (San Jose): Sierra Nevada snowpack declines after very dry January — but promising storms are arriving to replenish it
• The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California: News release: Metropolitan issues statement on state’s second snow survey of the season
• California Department of Water Resources: News release: Snowpack dips well below average in second snow survey of the season
• Courthouse News Service: California water officials look to approaching storms to boost flagging snowpack