Spring Snowstorm Extends Ski Season at Mammoth Mountain Amidst Concerns Over Early Snowmelt
A recent spring snowstorm has brought up to 3.5 feet of snow to California's Sierra Nevada, allowing Mammoth Mountain, a popular ski resort, to extend its ski season until at least Memorial Day. This development comes after a record-warm March led to significant snowmelt, resulting in the second-smallest April 1 snowpack since 1950. Despite the fresh snowfall, the snowpack remains well below average, measuring only 23% of normal levels. The storm has not benefited Southern California's major ski resorts, which have already closed for the season. The early snowmelt has raised concerns among water managers in California and the broader Western region as they prepare for the dry season. Experts attribute the early melt to climate change, driven by fossil fuel emissions.