UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab
@cssl.bsky.social
990 followers 1 following 190 posts
The CSSL is a research station of UC Berkeley specializing in snow physics, snow hydrology, meteorology, and climatology. The lab is at an elevation of 6894 ft.
Posts Media Videos Starter Packs
cssl.bsky.social
10/13/25 9:30am Update:

Not enough #snow for a measurement this morning because we only measure accumulation greater than 0.5 cm (0.2"). Something tells us we'll have enough within the next 24 hours though...

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
10/11/2025 9:15am Update:
Models continue to shift as we move closer to our forecasted #snow for the early half of this week. Currently, model guidance suggests 12-16" of accumulation at our lab Mon-Weds and we'll update as we get closer and outlooks change.

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
👀 Is it happening? It might be happening. We'll be keeping an eye on the model runs but early next week is looking pretty good... ❄️❄️❄️

#Snow #CAwx
cssl.bsky.social
10/2/25 10:25am

No snow yet but plenty of rain over the last 24 hours, which is a great start to the 2026 water year that began yesterday.

These early rain storms help prime our soil and keep it moist meaning less water from our snow has to do that job later.

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
2/2 Each dot on this map is a lightning strike ranked by the Fire Neural Network on its potential to start a fire. Red is more likely and blue is less likely. This information can be used by fire crews in the area to identify potential risk areas following storms.
cssl.bsky.social
How many lightning strikes have we had around Donner Summit and the Lake Tahoe Basin since Saturday?

1500 - each with its own strength and location characteristics involving drought, fuel loads, and recent meteorological conditions. 1/2
cssl.bsky.social
2/2 Any donation of a vehicle or donation of part of the price is tax deductible since we're a 501(c)(3). If you are selling one or have one you don't use, let us know!
cssl.bsky.social
We are looking for a company vehicle with 4x4 or AWD that we can use to get to our field sites. We don't have the biggest budget, so we're working on alternatives to buying new. The vehicle doesn't need to be a newer model or even in great running condition. 1/2

Bad AI pic for attention
cssl.bsky.social
6/21/25 1:45pm Update:

Ah yes, summertime. Long hours of sunlight, days at the lake, and... SNOW?!

Yes, snow. Currently at the lab we have a mix of #snow and #graupel coming down. Nothing says summer serenity like a blanket of white!

#CAwx #Weather
cssl.bsky.social
Looking for something to do on your Saturday? Come visit us at Legacy Day at Donner Memorial State Park! We'd love to chat with you and load you up with stickers!
cssl.bsky.social
The project, called the California Cold Content Initiative (3CI), aims to increase water forecast capabilities.
cssl.bsky.social
The @techreview just released an article that discusses our project to create a system of sensors to measure California's snowpack temperature.

Similar work from our partners @DRIScience and @USDA_NRCS is also discussed. Check it out here

tinyurl.com/5ahyhtkw
Why climate researchers are taking the temperature of mountain snow
As climate change fuels increasingly erratic weather, scientists need a better read on snowpack temperature to understand when water will reach reservoirs—and when it threatens to flood them.
tinyurl.com
cssl.bsky.social
5/13/25 9:45am Update:
A fresh blanket of white covers the lab study site after we received 5.9" (15 cm) of late spring #snow in the last day.

Other than some flurries today, there's no snow in the forecast, so this could be our last snowfall of the season.

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
5/12/25 3:30pm Update:

It's not over yet! We've been getting snow all day and it has led to some wonderful spring conditions ❄️❄️❄️
cssl.bsky.social
Yesterday we held our final winter and snowpack briefing of the season that corresponded to the final snow survey in #California.

Overall, another great season with statewide snowpack reaching average, which makes three years in a row. Check it out here:

youtu.be/D6DYrCA7X2Q?...
CSSL and CW3E Staff Break Down The 2025 Winter Season - May 1, 2025 Snow Season Briefing and Q&A
YouTube video by Central Sierra Snow Laboratory
youtu.be
cssl.bsky.social
2/2 Snow water equivalent (SWE) is the amount of water that can be obtained by melting snow while accumulation is the depth of newly fallen snow over a season that can differ in density and, therefore, doesn't always have the same water content.
cssl.bsky.social
4/27/25 9:40am Update:
Another 4.3" (11 cm) of #snow over the last day brings our season total to 362.99" (922 cm), ~3" (7 cm) over our median annual snowfall of 360" (915 cm).

We had 100% of April 1 median for SWE and are now above average for accumulation too! 1/2

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
#Snow started shortly after midnight and we have accumulated 4.5" (11.5 cm) so far with light to moderate rates.

We expect more snow through tomorrow with the heaviest rates being overnight tonight and another 5-10" at the lab.

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
Mwah hahahaha! You thought it was spring but the weather has other plans! ❄️❄️❄️

We are expecting some late-season snow this weekend (April 26 & 27, 2025) above 6000 feet, most of which will fall Saturday night into Sunday morning. We're currently expecting 6-12" at the lab.

#CAwx #CAwater
cssl.bsky.social
We're exciting to be participating in the Tahoe Truckee Earth Day Festival this Saturday April 26, 2025 at the Palisade's Tahoe Village!

Come out to chat with us about all things snow, our research, and educational programs. Or, just stop by to grab yourself a CSSL sticker!
cssl.bsky.social
The days can be long but the scenery can't be beat!

Federal Samplers consist of hollow aluminum tubes and spring scales. The tubes collect cores of snow, which we then measure to get its water content.
cssl.bsky.social
There are over 250 snow survey sites in California where crews take manual measurements with hollow tubes, known as Federal Samplers, once a month from Feb to May!

This video is from late May when we did the Onion Creek in the American River Basin April 1 measurement.
cssl.bsky.social
Ablation: combined processes which remove snow or ice from the surface of a glacier or from a snow-field; also used to express the quantity lost by these processes OR reduction of the water equivalent of a snow cover by melting, evaporation, wind and avalanches.