Deep Snow in Sierra Nevadas Spells End to Calif. Drought

The average depth of snow in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains is at nearly twice its normal level, which means the state as a whole is no longer in a drought.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the Sierra Nevadas, which run north to south and cover more than 24,000 square miles, provide the state with roughly a third of its water supply during the year when snow melts in the spring and summer.

This winter has been exceptionally wet for California — it's been more than two decades since the state has seen conditions like this. The Times notes that some parts of the state will break rainfall and snowfall records.

A report last month claimed California's snowpack was the deepest it's been in 22 years. At that point, the average depth was 173 percent of the normal amount.

The drought in northern California seemed to be over in January thanks to the higher-than-normal precipitation levels. 

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