Striking before-and-after images show extent of California's snow drought
- Posted on April 16, 2026
- By Los Angeles Times
- 10 Views
In brief
California faces an alarming water crisis as the Sierra Nevada snowpack plummets to just 20% of its historical average, marking a critical drought condition. Satellite comparisons reveal dramatic seasonal decline in mountain snow coverage, threatening the state's water supply for agriculture, municipalities, and ecosystems. This unprecedented snowpack depletion underscores the mounting impacts of climate change on Western water resources and raises urgent concerns about future drought severity and duration across the region.
Striking before-and-after images show extent of California's snow drought
Before and after images of the Sierra Nevada snow show the early decline in California's snowpack. Statewide snowpack levels sit at 20% of their historical average.
