UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab

Psst... pssst... the forecast is getting better... ❄️❄️❄️

Img: snow accumulation at the nearest model grid point to the Snow Lab

2/4/26 9am Update:
Model ensembles are showing a shift to wet conditions beginning Monday and continuing for most of next week.

We're still too far out to nail down #snow amounts but we will post updates on expected conditions as we draw nearer to the forecast window.

#CAwx #weather

1/28/26 10am Update:
We had 2.8" (7 cm) of #snow overnight, which breaks our nearly 3 week dry spell.

Unfortunately, it looks like this is all we'll get for at least the next 7-10 days. Following recent melt, we are now at 54% of median snowpack and 68% of snowfall to-date.

#CAwx #CAwater

1/26/26 10:35 am Update:

#snow is in the forecast! It's not a ton, only 2-4" on Tuesday night/early Wednesday but it should be enough to momentarily pause the dry conditions. We haven't had snow since January 8th (18 days) and this is definitely a welcome change!

#CAwx #CAwater

Only a few more days to support snow science and look awesome while doing it!

Our apparel fundraiser ends Monday 1/26/26 at 8am, so be sure to get yourself an awesome t-shirt, hoodie, or hat before then!

Get it here: tinyurl.com/CSSLapparel
#supportscience #weather #CAwx

That's a good point, we should!

❄️ You made it through the workweek, now it’s time to treat yourself ❄️

Grab some new apparel this weekend and show your support for snow science. Look good, feel good, give back!

Proceeds will go to the @ucberkeleyofficial.bsky.social Central Sierra Snow Lab. Get it here: tinyurl.com/CSSLapparel

❄️ Wear Your Support for Snow Science! ❄️

We’re excited to launch our apparel fundraiser! Every purchase supports research, education, and operations at our historic field station.

Your support makes a real impact. Get it here 👇

stores.inksoft.com/uc_berkeley_...

These California scientists maintain one of the world’s most vital snow datasets Scientists at UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory provide insights into long-term trends, including climate change impacts.

www.sfchronicle.com/weather/arti...
@cssl.bsky.social

YouTube video by Central Sierra Snow Laboratory The Launch of Our New Website

The new version of our website was launched today! Check out cssl.berkeley.edu to see the new site or check out our Youtube video for some details on features.

youtu.be/7UxzcRF2eNU

1/5/26 10:20am Update:
1-day ❄️: 20.7" (52.5 cm)
2-day ❄️: 35.0" (89 cm)
7-day ❄️: 40.9" (104 cm)

With 20.6" of #snow in the last day, we are now at our median snowfall for the 2026 water year! This most recent snowfall puts us on track for the year.

#CAwx #CAwater #weather

1/4/26 9:20am Update:

1-day ❄️: 14.4" (36.5 cm)
2-day ❄️: 19.7" (50 cm)

Plenty more #snow is expected today and into tomorrow with potential for another 8-16".

#CAwx #CAwater #weather

Good morning! Sorry for our website woes, we have a new site that we're excited to launch but have had some issues with Berkeley's IT making the transition. It has been started but no one is in office to finish it, likely until the new year. We'll keep you updated.

12/27/25 10am Update:
We had 6.3" (16 cm) of #snow in the last day, which brings our storm total (12/23-12/27) to 52.8" (134 cm).

We'll have sunny/clear skies over the next several days but have another chance at some precip (hopefully, snow) around the new year.

#weather #CAwx

12/26/25 10am Update:
1-day ❄️: 17.3" (44 cm)
2-day ❄️: 40.9" (104 cm)
7-day ❄️: 48.8" (124 cm)

We are now at 79% of our median annual snowfall to-date. More #snow is expected today with potential for another 5-10" but it should end late tonight.

#CAwx #CAwater #weather

12/25/25 9:35am Update:
Good morning and Merry Christmas! It's a snowy one for us. We received 23.6" (60 cm) of #snow in the last day, which brings our 2-day total to 24.8" (63 cm).

We're expecting another 2-3 feet, mostly today but a little tomorrow as well.

#CAwx #weather

12/24/25 9:30am Update:
We had 1.2" (3 cm) of #snow this morning, which brings our 2-day total to 5.5" (14 cm). We have heavy snowfall rates as can be seen on radar.

Snowfall predictions have come up a bit in the last day and we're now looking at 3-5 feet by late tomorrow night.

YouTube video by Central Sierra Snow Laboratory Big Snow in the Forecast 12/24 - 12/26, 2025

Here's a quick discussion on the forecast for 12/24 to 12/26 and the hazards associated with the big #snow that we're expecting.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZXI...

12/23/25 10:20am Update:
We had 4.3" (11 cm) of snowfall yesterday once temps cooled down a bit and are expecting much more in the next few days!

A quick note, UC Berkeley's IT team is working to get our website back online ASAP and we'll keep you updated.

#CAwx #CAwater

We're working on pushing out a new version of our website today. This means that you may be unable to reach it until the work is done. Apologies for the inconvenience, please bear with us!

12/19/2025 2:30pm Update:
A bit of snowfall has accumulated over the last couple of hours. The rain/snow line appears to be just below our elevation at 6900 feet, we've been told for certain that it's primarily rain at 6000 feet.

More rain and snow on the way!

#snow #weather

YouTube video by Central Sierra Snow Laboratory Rain and Snow in the 10-Day Forecast (12/18/2025)

Snow in the forecast?! Finally! We discuss the details in this video 👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4fv...

#snow #CAwx #CAwater #weather

On this #GivingTuesday, help us develop K-8 materials/activities, enable our scientists to travel to schools to engage with students, and increase our presence at events where we can meet and interact with community.

👉 give.berkeley.edu/fund/FH5846000

Every donation makes a difference!

a dog is riding a pink sled down a snowy hill . ALT: a dog is riding a pink sled down a snowy hill .

Happy first day of meteorological winter!

We haven't seen a ton of #snow yet but we have had rain, so we're in relatively good shape. With that said, we're hoping to see snow in the forecast sooner than later so we can really start building our seasonal snowpack!

#CAwz #CAwater

Interested in getting more information on recent happenings on the lab? Check out our most recent email newsletter that went out today! tinyurl.com/bm3wb95p

In it: how the water year has started, the quest for more (and easily accessed) data, and we get a new employee!

11/21/25 8:45am Update:
Another 1.2" (3 cm) of #snow fell in the last day, which brings our storm total to 3.9" (10 cm) and our 7-day total to 12.4" (31.5 cm).

We are now at 89% of median snowfall and 167% of median precipitation (rain & snow) to-date.

#CAwx #CAwater

11/20/25 8:50am Update:
We have 2.8" (7 cm) of new #snow with light to moderate snowfall rates continuing this morning. Our 7-day total to 11.6" (29.5 cm).

Snow will continue through this evening and is expected to be the last for at least the next 7-10 days.

#CAwx #CAwater

11/19/2025:
Just a friendly reminder that early season doesn't correlate to the entire season. This is the snowfall that we had on this date in 2023 (0.8") and we still ended with above average snowfall. Early season is highly variable. In other words, it isn't anywhere close to time to panic yet.

11/17/25 9:30am Update:
Light to moderate snow in the last 24 hours has resulted in #snow accumulation of 5.1" (13 cm). We're expecting another 3-4" throughout today and tonight.

Another storm is on the horizon and is expected to come through around Thurs.

#CAwx #CAwater

Applications for this year's CSSL Snow Science School occurring January 14-16, 2026 are now open! We encourage undergrad/grad students and career professionals to apply.

Applications close November 15th, 2025, so don’t wait!

Get more details here: csslsnowschool.com