A record-breaking heat wave is scalding California, with major consequences for the state’s most important reservoir: its snowpack. Conflicting roles for reservoirsMany of California’s reservoirs serve a dual role: stoppering flood flows and storing water for drier times ahead. But early snowmelt is complicating efforts to store that water. Improved forecasts after a major missEven as California suffers record heat and early snowmelt, the state is better prepared than in the past. “Things have substantially improved,” said Andrew Schwartz, director of UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, in an email to CalMatters.

Source: Los Angeles Times March 22, 2026 01:20 UTC