RENO, NV — As of December 17, snow water equivalent (SWE) measurements in northern Nevada and the Eastern Sierra are above average, with snowpack ranging from 106% to 157% of the median for this time of year, according to experts with the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This is a positive sign for water availability in the region as the winter season progresses.
In contrast, the Upper Colorado Basin in southern Nevada is at 89% of the median snow water equivalent, indicating slightly below-normal snowpack levels. Additionally, the Spring Mountains, located in southern Nevada, have yet to see significant snowfall.
Despite these early season trends, experts say it is too soon to predict whether snowpack levels will remain above normal by the critical April 1st peak. Current snow water levels represent only 25-30% of the typical spring snowpack amounts for most basins, and conditions can vary sig-nificantly over the course of the winter.
For ongoing updates on snowpack conditions, the public is encouraged to visit the Nevada Snow Survey website. The first official Water Supply Outlook Report for 2025 will be released in early January, providing more detailed projections for the coming spring.