Clark_Griswold wrote:And, that is impressive because you're basically comparing a record dry year (2013) to a year (2014) that is starting out even drier than the previous year.
Looks like even with storms, this year could be worse than 1976-1977.
2012 had a very wet ending. The map dated January 13, 2013 shows a
normal to slightly above normal snowpack for that date. Calendar year (not a measurement normally given notice) 2013 was extremely dry by modern standards, resulting in a dry 2012-2013 precipitation/snowpack season and an extremely dry start to the 2013-2014 season. Much of the snow that fell in November-December 2013 (mostly Nov.) has melted, and California has been experiencing record warmth to start 2014 rather than storms. The map dated January 13, 2014 does show a stark contrast from normal snow cover!
As far as breaking any full season or multi-season records for low precipitation and snowpack, we still have February, March, and April (sometimes May brings precipitation, especially in the far north).
The long term forecast for February came out today and predicts continuing
below normal precipitation with above normal temperatures:
http://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/This map and corresponding tables show snowpack water content measurements and the date is changeable, so you can go back and see where the snowpack water content stood on a given date as far back as October 2001 (North, Central, and Southern divisions included):
http://cdec.water.ca.gov/cdecapp/snowapp/sweq.actionEdit: I just spotted a link that provides some of the same maps, but adds a few more, for a more thorough (albeit somewhat alarmist sounding) summary.
http://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2014/01/extreme-drought-in-california.html?m=1