Publication: L.A. Times

UCLA Expert: Daniel Swain: Assistant Researcher and Climate Specialist, Institute of the Environment and Sustainability

Synopsis: Across the state, snowpack remains incredibly healthy — 186% of normal for the date as of Tuesday, according to state data. In the southern Sierra, it’s 224% of normal. Reservoirs are notably healthier too, with Lake Shasta nearly doubling its volume from two months ago.

UCLA News: Swain said about 20% of forecast models are currently depicting a very strong and warm atmospheric river storm in California around mid-March.  Should an atmospheric storm occur in the wake of extensive snow, “that could indeed pose [a] significant flood threat,” Swain said. However, he said that is “speculation at this early juncture” because the present odds of such a warm storm are about 1 in 5.

Read more at L.A. Times.