It’s been an exceptionally dry and warm January here in California and that could disrupt the water supply for the state this year unless the pattern changes. A group of retired weather and water officials walking around Lafayette Reservoir enjoyed the weather yet commiserated about it. “I think we have to be worried we could have a drought just like they are having the consequences of a terrible drought in the Los Angeles area,” said Stan McGovern, a retired general counsel with NOAA. If the snow survey on Jan. 2 was encouraging, no rain now for weeks means the statistics are dropping. As of Jan. 14, the state’s reservoirs are at 120% of normal, the snowpack stands at just 41% of normal with groundwater supplies at just 31%.

Related water supply articles from across the West:

• Salt Lake Tribune: The Rocky Mountains have gotten near-average snow this year. So, why are forecasts for Lake Powell inflows so low?
• San Francisco Chronicle: California weather remains dry due to ‘rex block’: Here’s what it means
• Newsweek: San Francisco’s weather hasn’t been what forecasts would expect
• ABC 10 Sacramento: California’s lack of rain, snow continues as dry January stretch grows
• Bakesfield Now: Drought conditions across California raises concerns for Central Valley agriculture
• Santa Barbara Independent: How full are Santa Barbara’s water reservoirs?
• Active NorCal: Shasta Lake begins 2025 with its highest water levels in 15 years