Calif. measures mountain snow as drought persists

The water contained in California's mountain snow is now lower than the historical average after a January without significant rain or snow.

The amount of water in the Sierra Nevada mountain's snowpack is at 92%. That's a dramatic reversal from December, when heavy rain and snow left the state with 160% of its average snow water content. State officials will conduct their regular snow survey .

The state measures snow totals electronically and manually at hundreds of locations. The nation's most populous state needs a wet winter to ease California's drought and this year's dry conditions are less dire so far than they were a year ago. Most of California is now in what's considered severe drought according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, with only a small part of the state classified as being in the more serious extreme drought. Winter snow is a crucial part of California's water supply and December through March are typically the wettest months of the year. Snow that melts in the mountains and runs down into California's lower elevations makes up about a third of the state's water supply.