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Daniel Swain says variability of the California snowpack has definitely increased

Publication: S.F. Chronicle

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

Synopsis: Twelve months ago, California was entering year three of an extended drought. On the heels of the driest January-April period in 128 years, the state’s two largest reservoirs were down to critically low levels, and a skimpy snowpack meant little additional water was on the way.

UCLA News: “If you look at the long-term year-by-year trend in snowpack overall in California, we’re still getting the big years, but we’re also getting a lot more really bad years,” Swain said. “The variability of that snowpack definitely has increased.” 

Read more at S.F. Chronicle.