The snow pack has dropped below normal in all Nevada and eastern California river basins according to a joint statement issued Wednesday by the National Weather Service and the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
December delivered lots of snow to the Nevada and eastern Sierra Valleys, but it didn't have the water content forecasters feel is necessary to bring the totals into positive territory after three dry years.
"Many reservoirs in Nevada and Eastern California are severely drawn down and will be unable to provide any carry over water to help meet demands this summer unless abundant precipitation falls over the next three months."
While the first part of January was relatively dry, forecasters say the next two weeks may provide some relief, with several storms in the forecast starting Saturday night.
The Carson River basin still has the best snow pack in Western Nevada at 85 percent of average on Wednesday, which is a significant improvement over the same time last year when it was 71 percent.
Forecasters say January precipitation is expected to be above average south of a line running from Lake Tahoe to Mesquite and near average north of the line.
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