Early snowpack dissipation poses threat of third consecutive dry year in California.

• Officials in California have warned that the state may face another dry year due to a lack of snow in January, which could mark the third consecutive year of dry conditions.
• The state's snowpack is currently at 92% of average, a significant decrease from the 160% recorded a month ago, as per the Department of Water Resources.
• As California faces worsening wildfire seasons, water shortages, and historic drought conditions exacerbated by climate change, the department has issued a warning.

Officials in California have warned that the state is likely to face another dry year due to a lack of snowfall in January, which could mark the third consecutive year of drought.

The state's snowpack measures 92% of average for this time of year, a significant decrease from the 160% recorded a month ago, according to a release by the California Department of Water Resources. Officials predict that by the end of the month, California's reservoirs will have 76% of average water storage for this time of year.

At Phillips Station, near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the department conducted its second snow survey of the season and advised residents to conserve water since most of California's reservoirs are below-average and groundwater supplies are still recovering.

"DWR's director Karla Nemeth stated that we are still in a drought, as January was completely dry, highlighting the rapid disappearance of surpluses. The unpredictability of California's weather underscores the importance of conserving and preparing for a potential third dry year."

The department issued a warning amid California's ongoing drought, exacerbated by climate change, and following the state's second-largest wildfire in history.

Gov. Gavin Newsom urged residents to reduce their household water usage by 15% last year during the ongoing drought and extreme heat.

To maintain normal levels of snowpack, California officials are hoping for winter storms in the Sierra Nevada in the next few months, as the state experienced minimal snowmelt in January.

DWR's Snow Surveys and Water Supply Forecasting Unit manager, Sean de Guzman, emphasized the significance of enhancing our forecasting skills and the importance of snow surveys during the dry January conditions.