UC Berkeley Central Sierra Snow Lab

Snow and some awesome apparel are on the way! We listened and a couple of our designs are coming back on apparel this year. Sales start November 1st when we'll post a link to the store and they will run until 11/13, so be ready!

10/8/2026 12:30pm: 👀 We're looking at a wet start to next week with rain and... SNOW? Will we see our first measurable (> 0.5 cm) snowfall of the season?! #snow #CAwx #Weather

Ready to dig into snow?! Applications are officially OPEN for the 3rd Annual CSSL Snow Science School! Join us on Donner Summit Jan 13-15, 2027 for an immersive look at snow physics, observation, and modeling. 🌐 Details on the website: csslsnowschool.com ⏰ Application deadline: Nov 2nd, 2026

It's that time of year again! The beginning of the Water Year (October 1) means it's merch time! Which design would you like to see brought back this year? Make your voice heard in the comments.

Everyone chips in on maintenance during the summer. This week’s task? Evicting a colony of wasps that decided a tree stump near our test equipment would make a great home. 🐝 Since we’re not interested in wasp stings, we brought in a professional to handle the situation 🐻 #GoBears

❄ Exciting news! ❄ Our paper is out in BAMS: 'Modernization of the Central Sierra Snow Laboratory – A New Chapter in a Storied Existence.' We cover the lab's history, its unique role, our latest tech & research, key collaborators, and outreach. Check it out 👇

4/22/26 10:30am Update: 🌎 HAPPY EARTH DAY! 🌏 We have 8.3" (21 cm) of new #snow this morning and 11.8" (30 cm) total from this storm. We're expecting another 1-2" today. Our next chance at some snow is this weekend. #weather #CAwater

4/21/26 9:30am Update: #Snow began early this morning and we've accumulated 3.5" (9 cm). We are expecting 1-2 feet total from this storm. Right now we have moderate to heavy snowfall rates with low winds but speeds are expected to increase this afternoon. #weather #CAwater

4/20/26 12:20pm Update: The storm that will move into our area late tonight/early tomorrow is expected to bring 9-18" (up to 2') of late-season #snow through Weds. Cold temps won't last long though as we expect to see average temps at the lab beginning on Thurs and throughout the weekend. #CAwater

4/12/26 9:35am Update: Heavy #snow started yesterday evening and continued into the night, bringing 13.6" (34.5 cm). That brings our 2-day snow total to 21.5" (54.5 cm). Snowfall and low visibility are still present and we're expecting another 5-10" by tomorrow. #weather #CAwx

4/8/2026 3:35pm Update: Winter isn't over yet! Although we're expecting rain over the next couple of days, colder temps will move in this weekend and it will change to #snow. There's currently some good agreement between models with current Fri-Sun totals around 18-24". #CAwx #weather

👀 KEEP DOING YOUR #SNOW DANCE!

3/16/26 10:40 am: Record-breaking high temps are forecasted for the next several days, which will substantially accelerate snowpack melt. Given current melt and lack of #snow in the forecast, we may see melt-out as early as the first week of April, ~5 weeks earlier than normal. #CAwx #CAwater

🚨 Snow Lab Big Give Alert 🚨 We’re raising funds for 2 important things: 🎓 Training the next generation of snow scientists 🚙 A much-needed 4×4 field vehicle Because snow science requires students… and occasionally a truck. ⏰ Ends tonight at 9pm ❄️ Support us: givingday.berkeley.edu/giving-day/1...

2/24/26 11:50am Update: Plenty of rain coming down on that fresh snow but we don't have any flooding concerns at this time. To monitor real-time conditions across the state, check out the wonderful resources from the NWS California Nevada River Forecast Center! www.cnrfc.noaa.gov?zoom=8&lat=3...

2/19/26 8:45 am Update - the atmosphere is clearly showing off: 1-day ❄️: 25.6" 2-day ❄️: 54.9" 4-day ❄️: 92.5" And in case you thought we were done… another 8–16" expected TODAY. At this point, the snowpack is basically building an extension onto the lab. Send snacks. Or a shovel. Or both. #snow

2/17/26 8:55am Update: It. Is. Dumping. We had 28.1" (71.5 cm) of #snow in the last day and we're expecting another 2-3 feet by tomorrow night. Anecdotally, the combination of low visibility, intense snowfall, and high winds have created the worst conditions since Feb 2023! #weather #water

2/16/26 8:35am Update: Our storm has begun and we have 9.4" (24 cm) of #snow so far with plenty more on the way! Moderate snowfall is continuing with snow-to-liquid ratios of ~12:1 - lighter and fluffier snow than we normally get! Wind and snow rates will pick up this afternoon. #CAwx #CAwater

2/11/26 9:25 am Update: We had 3.3" (8.5 cm) of #snow at the 8 am measurement. Expectedly, the storm came in warm with rain and then switched to snow last night. We expect another 1-2" today. A larger storm is poised to come through next week, potentially with feet of snow. #CAwx #CAwater

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

❄️ 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