Water worries over? Let's ask experts

This month's weather has done little to cure our winter blues. Most of the month was wet, cold and dreary. We could see more of the same in February.

But, heck, February is a short month. And, the water watchers keep insisting, all this rain and snow is good for us.

We asked consulting meteorologist Tom Loffman and California Department of Water Resources Chief Hydrologist Maury Roos how this winter compares to previous years and if our drought fears are over.

Q: Are we seeing record-breaking rainfall?

A: Sorry, folks, the showers we've seen are far from record-breaking. According to Loffman, January saw about 20 days of rain, dropping an average of 6 to 7 inches across the Sacramento area.

In years with heavy rainfall, such as 1995 and 1997, the region saw closer to 15 inches of precipitation, so we're seeing about half of record-breaking rain levels, Loffman said.

Q: Is there anything unusual about winter this year?

A: Rainstorms blowing in from the Gulf of Alaska are also ushering in frigid air and temperatures about five to 10 degrees lower than those typically accompanying winter storms. Loffman said he also has charted more gray skies, which might account for that persistent feeling of gloom: For two-thirds of this month, clouds have blanketed all or most of the sky.

"It's making people crazy," he said.

Q: Has precipitation replenished the reservoirs?

A: As of Jan. 1, rainfall was 75 percent of average to date and reservoir storage was 80 percent of average for the date, according to California Department of Water Resources.

According to data from automated sensors, the statewide average of snow water content is 18 inches, which is 110 percent of normal for the date and 65 percent of normal for the season, which ends in April, Roos said. The data will be verified when DWR officials conduct an important snow survey Thursday in the mountains.

Q: Is there still concern about a drought later in the year?

A: Roos said the "good news" is that the Sierra snowpack is 10 percent above average for the season. But, he said, there's still reason for being cautious.

"It still could turn dry; we can't be sure," he said.

Results from Thursday's snow survey will be used to compute the year's first water forecast. The highly anticipated look ahead allows state water contractors to plan water usage for the year, depending on how much is estimated to be available.

Q: It's cold out there, too. How low will the snow go?

A: Loffman said a series of cold storms is dropping snow as low as 2,000 feet. Sierra foothill towns – such as Nevada City, Grass Valley, Pollack Pines, Colfax, Sonora and Camino – that would normally get a light dusting could see a lot more snow on the ground.

There's little chance of the white stuff falling in the Valley.

Q: What's in store for next week?

A: Showers are forecast through the week, but Mother Nature's spigot may switch off after that.

According to Loffman, high pressure will begin to build around Sunday or Monday and could remain until midmonth. That could spell a significant change in the weather pattern. We may yet dry out before winter's done, he said.

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• Call The Bee's Ngoc Nguyen at (916) 321-1041.