California's Snowpack Still Above Average Despite Warm Weather

California's snowpack is 254% of normal for this time of year, with the southern Sierra Nevada measuring 326% of average. Despite a major warm-up at the end of the month, temperatures in April were generally cooler than average, and only about 12 inches of the snow water equivalent melted regionally and statewide. This has left most of it poised to flow downhill through the summer, increasing the risk of flooding in the San Joaquin Valley. However, the snowpack has eased drought conditions and provided a significant boost to California's water supplies, with less than 8% of the state now classified as being in drought.