Executive Summary

Recent reductions in precipitation levels experienced throughout the state of California have reduced snowpack and water reservoir levels while increasing drought conditions. Important points to consider include:

• California precipitation levels reached a seven year high seasonal level throughout Dec ’21 however combined precipitation levels experienced throughout the months of January and February declined to the lowest level experienced throughout 128 years of available data. California precipitation levels experienced throughout the December – February ‘wet season’ have accounted for over half of the total annual precipitation experienced throughout the past 100 years.
• Recent reductions in California precipitation levels have contributed to below average snowpack and water reservoir levels. California snowpack levels are at just 62% of normal levels throughout the first week of Mar ’22 while water reservoir storage levels declined to a six year low seasonal level throughout Jan ’22, finishing at just 75% of historical average levels. Additional declines in water reservoir storage levels are expected throughout the month of February based on snowpack data.
• Recent reductions in precipitation levels have increased drought conditions throughout the vast majority of California. California drought conditions have improved from levels experienced throughout the summer of 2021 however 87% of the state remained in a severe drought as of the first week of Mar ’22. 13% of California was deemed to be in an extreme drought as of the first week of Mar ’22, reaching the highest level experienced throughout the past eight weeks.

Precipitation Levels

Concerns over potential advancements in California drought conditions peak throughout the early months of the year due to the high degree of seasonality historically exhibited in California precipitation levels. California typically experiences particularly heavy precipitation in the months of December – February, which are known as California’s ‘wet season’. The three month period has accounted for over half of the total annual California precipitation experienced throughout the past 100 years.

California precipitation levels reached a seven year high seasonal level throughout Dec ’21 but have declined sharply since. California experienced less than one inch of total rainfall throughout the months of January and February, reaching the lowest cumulative level experienced throughout the 128 years of available data.

Cumulative California precipitation levels experienced throughout the past 12 months through Feb ’22 declined to a four year low level but remain closer to historical average figures.

Snowpack Levels

Precipitation experienced throughout the winter months is typically in the form of snow in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. California snowpack levels typically start to accumulate at the beginning of California’s wet season in early December and peak in early April following California’s heavy precipitation months. California snowpack reached a five year high seasonal level in late 2021, aided by the seven year high December precipitation levels, but has stagnated since, increasing only marginally over the final two months of the California wet season.

California snowpack levels are at just 62% of normal levels throughout the first week of Mar ’22, remaining below historical average levels for the third consecutive year. Snowpack levels remain above seasonal levels experienced throughout each of the past two years, however.

Water Reservoir Levels

Warmer temperatures experienced throughout the months of April – June cause the snowpack accumulated throughout the California wet season to gradually melt and run off, filling the state’s water reservoirs. California relies on the snowpack for water during the dry summer and early fall months, when precipitation levels are at seasonal lows. According to the National Resources Defense Council, on average, snowpack accounts for approximately 30% of the water used by California’s cities and farms each year. California water reservoir storage levels declined to a six year low seasonal level throughout Jan ’22, finishing at just 75% of historical average levels. Figures for the month of February will likely decline further based on snowpack data.

Drought Conditions

California drought conditions have improved from levels experienced throughout the summer of 2021 however 87% of the state remained in a severe drought as of the first week of Mar ’22. California drought conditions reached the worst state in six and a half years throughout Aug ’21 following the below average precipitation levels experienced throughout the prior wet season. 13% of California was deemed to be in an extreme drought as of the first week of Mar ’22, reaching the highest level experienced throughout the past eight weeks.

Milk Production Growth

A below average wet season is not indicative of a long-term problem as the climate experienced throughout California is one of the most volatile within the U.S., nevertheless, current conditions within California may reduce the strong milk production growth exhibited over the past year. California experienced the third largest growth in milk production volumes throughout the 2021 calendar year, trailing only Wisconsin and Texas.